 Complete the following phrase:  According to recent published studies, the first government in 1917 was funded by the German Empire which provided two million dollars because Sun had opposed Chinas entry into the First World War. The money allowed Sun to bribe the northern navy to defect and pay for the salaries of the National Assembly. He also used the money to buy the loyalty of the southwest due to the nearly mercenary nature of the warlords. Relations with the Germans became strained when it was revealed that they had supported the 