Chapter 11 1909~1912: years of apprenticeship 1909~1912: years of apprenticeship -9

dear mom: This experience of managing a consulate is the strangest, most interesting and most difficult we can imagine.During this period, Mr. Bons continued to stay in the Tower of Sin.It may be a world of ice and snow many degrees below zero.I sent him a letter this week.Can he at least receive it?I was a little worried about him, wondering what the Ministry would think about it.He's been away for three months now, and there's been turmoil in that time.I don't know if he will be back for Christmas.When he returned, China was no longer an empire but a republic.The various political events taking place in China today are undoubtedly the most important and uncertain in history.Of course, those who are not there are not interested.And for those of us who follow this peaceful revolution day in and day out, it's just so exciting.At the same time, it was tiring because seeing how they dragged on made it impossible to predict the ending.

Now, let's end the year with a kiss.Thank God we are the very few who don't have complaints about our personal lives. Jules Before the political entanglement was resolved, Chengdu entered a state of chaos for the last time. In early December 1911, the city experienced an unprecedented violence.The situation is serious enough that almost all Europeans should be evacuated.Let Jules tell us about the date, as he reported to the Foreign Office on December 11: We went through a very tragic period last week: the army revolted, ransacked Chengdu, many places were on fire, and they demanded a new government.

From 1 December a terrible exchange of fire was waged between the new army and the old army.Three of the latter were killed.They went to the camp to find help, shouting that the new army had risen.The news was not reliable, but it caused a great commotion in the city.In addition to these three massacres, there are also a few scattered ones.Mr. Castell found the body of a Chinese soldier at the gate; a Chinese who rented a boat at the pier saw a headless corpse; two policemen were beaten; On the fleeing flat-bottomed barge... Although this situation is not necessarily absolutely dangerous, I see it as a serious situation, and I have the idea of ​​"letting all those who do not have unavoidable tasks not to stay" and let them go to Chongqing in the shortest possible time.I am especially concerned for women and children.In fact, both Mrs. Muillac and Mrs. Trevor decided to leave.I appointed Mr. Trevor to accompany them, and temporarily terminated his duties in the medical team, and gave him a written order to work in Chongqing to stay there until the land road opened before returning to his post here.Almost all the Protestant priests packed up: a real flotilla was organized...

Friday, December 8 The new army and the old army gathered at Dongqiaochang (sound).It was a training ground perpendicular to Consulate Street.In a sign of acceptance of the ceasefire, the six corps conducted a final drill before setting off for major cities along the Wanxian route.I watched the military training at the gate of the consulate.Suddenly, a violent gunshot was heard.At first I thought it was practice and empty shots fired into the sky, but the panic of the soldiers and the crowd made me realize the seriousness of the situation.Immediately I went back to the house, and before closing the door, several fleeing people were greeted.I stayed there, trying to get a glimpse of the limelight through the gate bars.A terrified servant of mine came to tell me that soldiers from the Green Battalion had poured into the consulate from the gardens.His first thought was that the soldiers were here to kill me and he was desperately trying to hide me.I'd rather see for myself.I found no hostility in the hypothetical people who came to kill me: "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid!" they shouted at me as soon as they saw me.At this time, other people continued to jump over the wall, and soon there were more than a hundred people, civilians or soldiers, all coming to dodge the bullets.I asked them why it happened, but to no avail.It was only later that a satisfactory explanation came: from the beginning of the battle, someone had promised double the salary to the army, but only one was paid.So some people in the new army resisted loudly and ran to rob the army's salary.Someone may have fired a gun into the sky, because the crowd was so large and dense, they said, two people were killed.

While running, the new army shouted, "Go to the imperial city, go to the imperial city."As they ran, they asked people along the way to pull down the "Han" flag.The flags vanished quickly and magically.Prime Minister Park talked about waiting for them, but actually disappeared without a trace.Soldiers distributed ammunition and equipment to the lowest ranks of the people.Soon, the robbery in the city begins.Banks, charities, grocery stores were soon overrun by angry crowds... I visited my countrymen one by one on foot, and I thought it unnecessary to explain how anxious everyone was.I met several groups of robbers.Their situation is truly dire.Armed with bullets, rifles or broadswords in hand, what they hold is either a piece of clothing, a basket of currency, or a quilt.What else do I know?Adding to the horror of this picture is the attitude of the people: all the inhabitants are there, on their thresholds, with their eyes open, without a word, without a gesture.At my last stop, at Dr. Muillac's, I found almost all the lay French.In the harsh external environment and the extreme desperation of most of my compatriots, I issued an order to flee to Chongqing.I relieved all doctors and nurses of their responsibilities except that I should stick to my post.I am determined to stay in Chengdu, because this position cannot be without a supervisor.

More than 100 Europeans will leave in more than 30 boats.The Chinese government provided a hundred soldiers for security.Jules said that at that time, "suspicious people on the street were stopped and searched at any time, and if they brought too much money with them, they would be executed immediately." Jules finally had his first crisis, and it wasn't the smallest.He was really the only Frenchman left in the bloody city with the missionaries. Chengdu, December 18, 1911 dear mom: The political situation seems to be getting better again, but what a terrible last week.I am the most fearless one, but I still have a high fever and chattering teeth.Two or three months ago, I told you: "It is impossible for everyone to encounter things like the Alexander massacre when they first started their diplomacy."Now, I don't have to be jealous of anyone anymore, I've seen enough horrible things to drive me nuts.

Farewell, dear mother, I kiss you very tenderly Jules The only non-clergy French in Chengdu If this black day of December marked an end to the insurrection that had begun in August, it was a real disaster for a weary Jules.The tension may only come from the awareness of the crisis he has experienced, and the courage and spirit he needs to mobilize to complete the mission alone.For four months, he was isolated from the world outside Chengdu in the consulate, and he was solely responsible for the lives of more than a dozen French residents.From the eve of the riots, Sichuan has become the center of attention of all foreign forces in China. The pressure of this isolation should be very heavy.It was in this rebellious province that the Millennium Empire began to crumble before being replaced by the Republic.

Yuan Shikai offered Sun Yat-sen, the incoming president of the republic, an exchange proposal: he would no longer separate the revolutionaries with military strikes, but demanded that the abdication of the last emperor and the conversion to republican presidency (i.e. usurpation of the presidency) be accomplished by his will )! On February 12, 1912, this proposal came into force.Everyone thought that the new China had finally produced a modern politics. Although not yet out of the storm of revolution, Jules wanted to enjoy a chance to rest before facing this difficult period of Chinese history again.He is going on vacation back home for the first time in three years.It's not hard to imagine his relief before boarding a ship to leave this chaotic country.Although Sichuan has not stopped him from worrying for so many months, he has never been disillusioned with this land.Before leaving, he said in a report to the Foreign Office: "From all points of view (business, weather and the various advantages of living conditions), I feel very satisfied with my position and will be able to return here after vacation. Happy with a new job."

The Foreign Office would be sensitive to the actions of Jules, as a note made by the Ministry of Politics and Commerce in 1912 states: "This officer, naturally calm, proved to be a commendable and courageous work People. If you look at his age and class, he shows a serious unique quality. The Minister of Politics and Commerce will be happy to nominate him for the next selection of the Academy's Palme d'Or." Therefore, Jules went on vacation with the feeling of completing the task and feeling that good luck is coming.His father's letter also testifies to this.Alfred, his father, a distinguished diplomat, had just retired as a First Class Minister.Very optimistic about his son's career performance.And he did not hesitate to exert influence on Mr. Bertero, the Deputy Minister of Asian Affairs, to help his son.In the letter, he also told his son that his mother was very concerned about what he was going through.

Paris, February 16, 1912 Thank God, you finally have news, and it's good news!From the tone of your letter, I feel that you have accomplished your task well and courageously, and that you are recovering from your rest.This mission will leave its mark on your career.Wait a little longer and you will reap the fruit. I went to see Mr. Bertero on February 10th. He read your report and admired your beautiful work.It's just that he thinks it's a bit regrettable that all the doctors and nurses have left Chengdu, and you are the only one left.That's easy to say!He could not imagine how strained the mental state of the European diaspora would be after that terrible day of December 8.He argued that foreigners were not threatened by the revolutionary movement.This may be true, but we risk losing our judgment in the midst of such a horrific event, since Chengdu is the center of unrest.If he was on the scene, he might have misjudged it.

After the conversation, I wrote him a letter, suggesting that you should be commended and let you skip the level of "special correspondent" in the Chengdu embassy, ​​and keep your current level in a new position.He replied: "...Unfortunately, this is impossible. The Chengdu embassy already has a candidate. What I can do is to transfer him to Shanghai for two years so that Le and Gan can enjoy two and a half terms. He also said: "Don't worry about your child. I am very interested in him. I admire him. This performance will affect his career, because I never give up a good officer, and I will not reduce my ability. the doing part." In any case, you should feel confident that you will waste neither time nor effort.This is a good opportunity for officials who are just starting to work, which will make themselves known and show their value.These achievements will not be forgotten. I don't think you will be surprised that your mother was very emotional and deeply touched by your tragic time.She developed neurodermatitis as a result.She is better now.She is always alert and courageous, never to be overwhelmed.However, her infinite motherly tenderness has passed a tough test. Alfred K. The day for Jules to leave China has come, and China will experience more difficult times, and Jules has since turned his attention to France.Instead of taking a train across Siberia, he took a sea boat.Feeling relaxed and calm, he just paid a little attention to the news in the telegram sent to him by his father in May 1912: "Have you heard the terrible news of the sinking of the huge 'Titanic'?..."