"Was the military pressure too much?"
"Governor Kontrachenko might find it unsettling."
"But it worked. Yuan Shikai now holds more power than ever."
The coordinated military drills near the Chinese borders weren't just posturing—they were designed to consolidate Yuan Shikai's control of the Republic's armed forces.
"And that idea about dividends—who came up with that?"
"Chairman Zhang Chun of the Jangchun Association. He paid out dividends equal to all the bribes Yuan Shikai had taken up until now."
"Hah! Zhang Chun's as crazy as they come."
It wasn't just generosity—it was a calculated message. No matter how much you take from others, only we can truly reward you. This silent reminder ensured Yuan Shikai's continued cooperation with Jinhan.
"And if we stir up a little regionalism… perfect."
National governments would eagerly assist. The presence of an external enemy had a remarkable way of uniting fractured domestic powers.
"Will you eliminate Sun Yat-sen?"
