"Recruitment?" Ferguson and Steve's eyes lit up when they heard this.
This is indeed a good idea. In fact, recruitment is not unique to Chinese history. There are many successful cases of recruitment and security in Western history. Let’s not talk about anything else. Let’s talk about the Scottish Uprising that Xu Rui mentioned before, which is Wei Qian. The great uprising led by Wallace was finally quelled by recruitment.
Although resolving disputes through recruitment is not as direct and straightforward as using force to suppress it, and it will leave some sequelae, it is still an effective solution and can indeed save Britain's face. Of course, more importantly, The fate of Ferguson and Steve can also be rewritten.
As Xu Rui said, if the recruitment is successful, Ferguson and Steve will not only have no fault, but will have merit!
Of course, Ferguson and Steve still had extremely dark thoughts in their hearts. If the recruitment was successful, Xu Rui might not be able to become the second William Wallace. Historically, William Wallace was brutally killed. Torture, Ferguson and Steve's hearts beat loudly at the thought of it.
As long as Gujun Camp accepts the recruitment, as long as Gujun Camp becomes a mercenary of the Concession Industry Bureau, by then, there will be plenty of time and opportunity to deal with this guy named Xu, hehe!
Steve smiled and said, "This is worth trying."
Xu Rui has a clear understanding of Steve and Ferguson's dark thoughts.
However, Xu Rui didn't care at all, and immediately said: "However, we also have conditions."
When Steve heard this, he immediately frowned and said, "You just said that Gujun Camp is only nominally affiliated with the Public Concession Industry Bureau. Isn't this considered a recruitment condition?"
"Of course it doesn't count." Xu Rui shook his head and said, "This is just the basis for negotiation."
Steve rolled his eyes after hearing this, but who put him in a weak position? He said angrily: "Okay, besides this, what other recruitment conditions do you have?"
Xu Rui held out three fingers and said one by one: "First, the entire western area of the concession from the west of Minti Niyin Road is divided into the jurisdiction of our Gujun Camp. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce Bureau of the concession has sovereignty, but has no governance power. From now on, the governance of this area belongs to our Lone Army Camp."
Xu Rui originally only wanted one-tenth of the area in the western part of the concession near the Chinese border.
But now, after knowing clearly Britain's bottom line, Xu Rui has increased his stakes and wants half of the Western Concession.
"Oh?!" Steve's eyes widened when he heard this, and he shouted, "The entire western area west of Mintinyin Road? God, you took away half of the western area of the concession!"
Xu Rui smiled and said, "Do you have any different opinions?"
Steve said in a deep voice: "You ask for too much. The British government and the Concession Industry Bureau cannot agree to it. At most, the area from Baierbu Road to the west is almost a quarter of the Western District of the Concession. , even if this area is mostly slums, the tax collected is enough to support several hundred people in your camp."
Xu Rui spread his hands and said, "Well, since Minister Steve insists, that's it. Let's wait for the National Government and the American Minister Johnson to come to a conclusion first. Anyway, for us, it is with Minister It makes no difference whether you negotiate or negotiate with American Minister Johnson through the National Government."
For Xu Rui, as long as he sticks to the bottom line, it makes no difference who he negotiates with, but for Ferguson and Steve, it is completely different. If the final judgment is reached through the US Minister to China, Jason, then Ferguson and Steve will Will be forever crucified on the pillar of shame in history.
As soon as Xu Rui's trump card came out, Ferguson and Steve couldn't resist it.
"Okay, let's talk about your second condition." Steve stared at Xu Rui fiercely, but thinking in his heart, after the recruitment is completed, I will come back to settle the accounts with you.
When the time comes, there will be plenty of time and opportunity to deal with you.
"Mr. Minister, you are wise." Xu Rui gave Steve a thumbs-up, and then continued, "The second recruitment condition for our Gujun Camp is that the personnel appointments and removals, public security and business activities in the New West District of the Concession are not subject to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce Bureau of the Concession. Control, our isolated camp has the right to self-determination, and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce Bureau of the Concession shall not have any interference."
According to Xu Rui's conditions, the entire New West District is equivalent to the independent kingdom of Gujun Camp.
"Okay!" Steve had already made up his mind to settle the score later, so he readily agreed.
Since he is destined to fall out with Gujunying in the end, he can be more generous now. Anyway, no matter what conditions he agrees to now, they can all be written off when the time comes.
Xu Rui raised his third finger and said: "Article 3, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce Bureau of the Concession must provide enough weapons and ammunition for three divisions to fight for half a year. In addition, it also needs to provide a full set of machinery and equipment for a small arsenal. When Weapons, ammunition and machinery and equipment are in place. When will we release the hostages and accept their recruitment?"
Here, Xu Rui also doubled down again. In addition to the supplies for three divisions, which is one army, he also added a full set of mechanical equipment for a small arsenal, because Xu Rui had considered that even if the British provided three divisions for one army, The division's supplies will always run out, but if you give it to a small arsenal, it is equivalent to giving a hen that can lay golden pimples. From now on, you can continuously provide ammunition for the lone army camp.
This is very important for the future War of Resistance in Shanghai.
But this is difficult for Ferguson and Steve to accept.
"Oh?!" When Steve heard this, his face immediately turned black.
Steve originally thought about finding an opportunity to settle the ledger with Xu Rui after he was recruited, but if he agreed to the third clause, he would have to give him the weapons and ammunition needed by three divisions for half a year of operations and a complete set of mechanical equipment from a small arsenal. Solitary Army Camp, when the time comes, they will have nothing to do with the Solitary Army Camp. What kind of general ledger is it
Ferguson also said: "Commander Xu, the first two are easy to say, but the third one is absolutely impossible!"
Xu Rui was not in a hurry, and said with a smile: "Your Majesty the General and Mr. Minister, it is best not to make a hasty decision. There is no rush in this matter anyway. We have plenty of time to discuss it slowly, don't we?" After a pause, Xu Rui Then he said to Steve, "Of course, in order to show our sincerity, we will restore your freedom now. You can leave now."
Xu Rui doesn't mind letting Ferguson and Steve go at all now, because if the recruitment fails, the two of them will not get anything good even if they return to the UK. Therefore, even if they regain their freedom, they still have to behave in the end. He returned to the New West District of the Concession to negotiate with him and promote recruitment.
Steve and Ferguson didn't believe it when they heard this. It couldn't be such a good thing, right
"Really?" Steve asked tentatively, "We can really leave?"
"Of course." Xu Rui said with a serious smile, "You can leave at any time."
"Then let's say goodbye first." After speaking, Ferguson stood up and pulled Steve out.
After going downstairs, Ferguson and Steve did not go to the detention room, but went straight to the gate. As a result, they did not encounter any trouble until they left the gate of the military camp. Fortunately, the two hurriedly He stopped two rickshaws and then took the rickshaw back to the British camp as if he was escaping.
On the second floor, Xu Rui, Xie Yuan, and Yang Rui watched quietly as Ferguson and Steve left.
Xie Yuan said: "Commander Xu, is it a little hasty to let Ferguson and Steve go now?"
Yang Rui also said with some annoyance: "Yes, after all, one of these two people is a brigadier general, the other is the minister to China, and he is also a baron. As hostages or bargaining chips, they are not light, even if they are exchanged Weapons and ammunition, you must be able to exchange for a lot of weapons and ammunition, right?"
Xu Rui shook his head and said, "You are wrong. Ferguson and Steve are worthless at all. If we continue to hold them in our hands, they are just two ordinary hostages. There is no shortage of brigadiers in the British army. There is no shortage of barons among the nobles, so only by letting them go can their value be maximized."
After hearing this, Xie Yuan and Yang Rui seemed to understand. It was a bit too complicated for them.
Xu Rui did not explain too much. Anyway, he was extremely convinced that after Ferguson and Steve regained their freedom, they would do their best to facilitate their recruitment and fight for the rights of their lone camp.
A ruler is short, an inch is strong. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. Xu Rui's strength is leading troops in battles and conducting diplomatic negotiations. This is not his strong point, so going into battle in person may not have good results. They would be exhausted to death, so it would be better to leave this difficult job to Steve and the others, especially since Steve is a diplomat and is familiar with negotiation skills, so he will definitely complete the task of fighting for the rights and interests of the Lone Army Battalion.
(Dividing line)
Let’s talk about Ferguson and Steve again.
It wasn't until they entered the barracks heavily garrisoned by the British army that Ferguson and Steve heaved a long sigh of relief.
After confirming that he was safe, Ferguson immediately returned to his old ways and said to Steve through gritted teeth: "Your Excellency, Minister, there is no need to pay attention to the threats surnamed Xu. I will assemble all the American and British garrison troops in Shanghai. No matter what, I will destroy the lone army camp and rescue it." All the hostages are still thinking about being recruited, it’s simply stupid!”
But Steve waved his hand and said, "Your Excellency, Brigadier General, if you summon the American and British garrison in Shanghai, will you definitely win?"
"Well..." Ferguson was immediately at a loss for words. He really didn't dare to say this, because the British army stationed in Shanghai only consisted of two regiments, and the most elite Gurkha Royal Infantry Battalion became a servant of the lone battalion. , before Ferguson issues new instructions, the Royal Gurkha Infantry Battalion will only fight for the lone battalion.
As for the U.S. Army, there is only one company in total, and its combat effectiveness is extremely low.
ps: For those students who are following the update and have no books to read, you can read my old book "The Legend of Immortality of Anti-Japanese War Veterans". Although this old book is not as good as Zhu Ma Taihang, in terms of writing level, it is higher than Zhu Ma Taihang is on a different level and is a truly conscientious work. Those who like the iron-blooded war must not miss it. The key is that this is an old book that has been completed: veterans never die, they just wither away.