We had previously invited your forces to leave Tsingtao and that by doing so assured that your reputation in China would be elevated and your decision heralded as genuinely faithful to Asian struggles for dignity. We had informed you that your actions have stirred the passions of our own people who object to the exploitation of China based on the unfair treaties - of which you are one of the primary authors and most aggressive transgressors of Chinese sovereignty.

Your envoy has come to my office bearing bare stems and bitter herbs, threatening us with invasion and faulting us for the unpromising position your nation now occupies, not only with your enemy but with our treaty partners who may as yet exercise a sober decision about your future in China.

Grand Chancellor Ronglu