The scars of war can be seen everywhere along the railway from Lyon to Bordeaux, and scenes of desolation, desolation and ruin can be seen everywhere. The budding mechanized farming was delayed due to the lack of labor, a large number of tractors were requisitioned, the front line was delayed, the farmers had to return to the most primitive manpower farming methods, the women took on the main work, the old people lost the opportunity to enjoy their old age in peace, picked up the hoe, and the children were forced to stop school, and the little faces were full of confusion.

When the United States on the other side of the Atlantic went all out to carry out mechanized agricultural reform, and when the Republic of China also began to try mechanical farming and build tractor factories and tillage tool factories one after another in Henan, Shanxi and Northeast China, Europe, which was the most prosperous and cutting-edge in science and technology in the past, stopped breathing because of the war! Four years of war, the Republic of China can shorten the gap by four years! No, even Chapter 395 benefits to five or six years! Yang Qiu retracted his gaze, and he couldn't see the slightest change on his face. Even he himself was a little surprised that what was going on, as a modern person from the future civilized world, but after a few years of returning, his heart became harder and harder, colder and colder, and his heart was full of calculations. If it weren't for the good news that Miao Luo was about to bring his first child, maybe one day he would really go crazy.

After a moment of distraction, he returned to work, and Zhang Yang, the thin director of the Military Intelligence Bureau next to him, handed him the plan.

The thin and short Zhang Yang has a very ordinary face, if it weren't for the scar on his chin that was cut by his own people with a bayonet during the Battle of Guilin because he didn't communicate well, it is estimated that it would hardly attract any attention when placed in the crowd. As one of the most mysterious people in the Wehrmacht, he was also one of the good spy seedlings who carried out the southwest operation with Chen Haohui. Compared with Fang Rui, the Military Intelligence Bureau only needs to be responsible to the General Staff because of its different tasks, so the outside world does not know that such a person exists.

When Yang Qiu opened the document and picked up the pen to sign, he suddenly stopped and confirmed again: "Everything is ready?" ”

"The bridge of the 5,120-ton passenger ship has been painted with the Red Cross logo. After bypassing the Strait of Gibraltar, they will join the British fleet, but after the 395 benefit fee, cover the sign with brown paper. Judging by several probes, there is a high probability of the appearance of German submarines. In the event of an accident, someone will tear off the leather paper and expose the logo. The crew totaled 57 people. It's all our people. In addition, there were 314 wooden boxes containing medicines and medical equipment, 513 Japanese refugees and North Korean refugees, including 172 women, all of whom had been examined and had no signs of nationality. "When the skin of the mouth is turned. The scar on the chin twists and bends with the movement.

"No one of our own?" Yang Qiu raised his eyebrows.

Zhang Yang paused, nodded, and said, "71 death row prisoners." Including 13 female prisoners. The youngest was also announced to have been executed a year ago. Including Japanese and North Korean refugees, family members and identity certificates have been arranged in China, and newspapers will be used to interview them after the accident. ”

"I am not afraid that someone will escape when the ship sinks. Revealing your identity after being rescued? ”

Zhang Yang smiled slightly. But the scar made the smile look hideous, and said: "Except for the crew, all the living hatches have delayed explosive devices, which will delay the explosion after being concentrated by torpedoes, judging from the efficiency of the H8 thermodynamic torpedo that Germany has recently begun to use, civilian ships can hold on the sea surface for about 10 minutes at most, and we have also modified the sea pressure valve." The water will enter very quickly, and all that will float up except for us seafarers is corpses! ”

A war without excuses cannot be recognized by the people. Even in the parallel world, Duan Qirui declared war because Germany sank a Chinese ship. In fact, don't look at Zhang Yang's simple words, if they are really attacked, I am afraid that those people in the Military Intelligence Agency may not have time to withdraw! Thinking that as long as he signed it, he would bury the lives of nearly 1,000 people, and he felt a little nervous in his heart.

But he still quickly signed his name and handed it to Zhang Yang: "Destroy all the evidence afterwards, including this document!" ”

When Zhang Yang turned to leave, two figures appeared at the other end of the carriage. Zhang Xiaozhun walked in with Hu Weide, who had two Austrian mustaches. Because of his negotiations with Russia in the year of Gengzi, he became famous in one fell swoop, and during the reign of Yuan Shikai, he was appointed as vice minister of foreign affairs and came to France as a minister.

When he saw him, Yang Qiu couldn't help but feel that Beiyang was rich in talents, and he was still enjoying Yu Yin, just because no one dared to mention this concept after Yuan Shikai's death.

Since Yang Qiu arrived in Marseille, Hu Weide has been with him as an ambassador, and this period of observation has given him a little more understanding of this young man. Although he has a strong desire for power, his heart for the country is true, and the sharp energy on his body is by no means comparable to the twilight of Beiyang. The obsession of the young generation of the National Society led by him with foreign affairs and movements is indeed helping the country, so there is not much guilt in his heart. What's more, the Beiyang era is gone, and they still can't escape the identity of obeying the orders of the state in the end.

Hu Weide bowed before sitting down, this traditional European gentleman's etiquette makes people feel very comfortable, and even Yang Qiu has to praise it in his heart, the person who can make European sculptors fall for him is indeed extraordinary.

After sitting down, it was still the old practice, and Yang Qiu first asked about the war. As the head of the people's first-class observation group, Zhang Xiaozhun can deeply feel the weakness of Britain and France during this period more than ordinary people, and said: "The situation of the Entente is relatively bad. The news of the naval victory spurred Germany and Austria-Hungary, and the army offensive was much stronger than in previous months, with the main Verdun and Compiègne directions in jeopardy. The British and French are now paying more attention to Romania, and I think it is likely that they are going to instigate Romania to enter the war in an attempt to break up the alliance's military forces on multiple fronts. But Russia dragged its feet, and after the first tank drop on the German Eastern Front last month, the Germans have already occupied Riga and Vilno and launched their first offensive on Minsk! If the Russian army can no longer get strong support, it will definitely lose Minsk! Once Minsk is lost, the entire Ukrainian flank will be surrounded, and Russia will probably be finished!

So during this period of time Britain and France looked everywhere for strength to support Russia, judging from the news from our country, the number of trains on the railway from Vladivostok to the Urals increased several times compared with a year ago, especially since the United States has used it as a main road to transport supplies and weapons, and it is said that 1.5 million rifles and millions of tons of supplies have been transported from where to the Russian interior. But after crossing the Urals, the railroad was in shambles, the Russian bureaucracy was making transportation chaotic, and the weapons did not reach the soldiers, so many soldiers on the front line still had only ancient flintlock pistols and broadswords. ”

"So the Entente can't hold on?"

"Not necessarily!" Zhang Xiaozhun shook his head: "Whether it is the economy or manufacturing capacity. Britain and France together are significantly stronger than Germany, not to mention the United States across the Atlantic! Now they are the number one supplier of ammunition and materiel to the Entente. It has become the largest creditor in Europe. Although the German Navy has sunk 4,000 8-million-ton Entente freighters with submarines. However, because of the fear that the United States would enter the war, the German submarines were temporarily unable to take American cargo ships, so before your arrival, Kaiser Wilhelm II publicly condemned the United States for using its neutral status to help the Entente, and said that he did not rule out the possibility of launching a military attack on the United States. ”

"Maniac!"

Yang Qiu took a deep breath, deliberately glanced at Hu Weide and then asked, "Is there any news from Wang Zhengting?" ”

Zhang Xiaozhun has been in Europe for almost a year. Seeing such a huge war, as a soldier, no one wants to stay out of it, compared with the Sino-Japanese War, this is the king of the battlefield of war! Only here is to fight a bloody way. The Wehrmacht can be regarded as a real world powerhouse, so when he heard this, his face suddenly appeared a little excited. Only Hu Weide knew the meaning of that glance, because he was one of the diplomats who firmly did not advocate intervention in the European theater.

Zhang Xiaozhun didn't pay attention to the looks of the two. Rubbing his hands together, he said excitedly: "The conditions of Britain and France are. At least 20 infantry divisions and 400,000 men must be dispatched, of which 7 must be troops who fought in the Sino-Japanese war. They said that if we are willing to send troops and reach this scale, Britain is willing to help you persuade the Saud family to obtain the right to explore oil on two pieces of land, and also promised to provide a low-interest loan of one billion dollars for 20 years, and promised to pay the full amount within a month after sending troops, and also promised to provide 1,000 civilian dollars for each of the 20 divisions in military expenses and settling-in allowances. It's about $200 million, and they're responsible for all the logistics. ”

"Huh. Quite rich. Yang Qiu looked at Hu Weide and said with a smile: "Mr. Xinwu, you said yes." ”

Hu Weide smiled bitterly: "How can it be so easy to lose the foundation of hundreds of years, but I am afraid of affecting your reputation for money, vice president." He didn't say anything against it, but said that letting soldiers die in vain for money would affect Yang Qiu's reputation, which was undoubtedly a side knock to ask him not to join the rotten war in Europe. Yang Qiu didn't annoy him either, and said with a smile: "Sir, don't worry, listen to it." ”

Zhang Xiaozhun continued: "Gu Weijun had already told Britain and France that we had been helping them make things in the past two years, and at present, the 28 divisions and 4 ** brigades (including the Marine Corps brigade) have not all been refused, but they said that they could provide equipment and the transportation industry would be fully contracted. Provide 150,000 American-made Springfield rifles, 1,500 light and heavy machine guns, 20,000 submachine guns, as well as 120 M1918 155mm howitzers that you have paid attention to, 120 105mm long-range cannons imitating China's Warhammer B, 360 other artillery pieces and 2,000 trucks, and say that we can bring back these weapons and ammunition captured in the battle after the end of the battle and never obstruct it. ”

It is not surprising that the plane is not in the list, the aircraft of the Entente countries are now no longer visible to the Wehrmacht, but there is no tank Yang Qiu was a little surprised, after the A7V appeared, Britain and France immediately took out their own imitations, why didn't they give it to themselves? "What about the tank?" Didn't I ask you to sell the drawings to France? ”

"It was sold two months ago, and a total of £500,000 in gold has been sent home. France named the tank the FT-17, and it is said that many parts have been handed over to the United States for manufacturing, and they have promised to give us 68 units, and the terms are the same as before. Zhang Xiaozhun calculated and said with a smile: "I calculated, this is equivalent to giving us all the equipment of our 10 divisions in one go, and there is still reinforcement in artillery." ”

"So they're determined to pull us in?"

Faced with Yang Qiu's question, Zhang Xiaozhun said: "It's not all, at least Xia Fei and Haig, the two old stubborns, insist that they don't need us to send troops, saying that the aid given to us is enough for them to arm 20 divisions by themselves, but I personally think that they are probably just talking about it, even if Britain and France have weapons, it is difficult to find the human resources of 20 divisions again." ”

Yang Qiu frowned imperceptibly. The promise of Britain and France to exchange troops is indeed very tempting, and the two large oil fields in Saudi Arabia alone are worth it! But the problem is that there is no mention of the distribution of post-war benefits, obviously planning to make himself cannon fodder but unwilling to give up this delicious cake of greater post-war interests! The deeper subtext is that they still want to go back to the Far East! What's more, just for money and equipment, just as Hu Weide just said, I am afraid that his reputation as the commander-in-chief will be ruined, so he looked at Zhang Xiaozhun with his eyes. The latter hurriedly looked at Hu Weide and said, "By the way, there is good news!" But it's up to Mr. Shingo. ”

"Rely on me?" Hu Weide wondered, you want to fight when you hear what you just said, what else is wrong with me? Zhang Xiaozhun smiled: "France promised to conditionally return the concessions except for Shanghai, including Guangzhou Bay!" However, it is necessary to follow the example of the Hankow Sino-US Special Bonded Zone, to ensure the legal rights of French companies and citizens in the ten-year bonded zone, and to allow France to use our naval bases if necessary, provided that we drastically reduce the number of troops stationed in the southwest and conclude a new French East India Agreement to recognize its absolute authority in the region. However, Wang Zhengting and Gu Weijun are not familiar with these civil negotiation terms, and they called to say that they wanted Mr. Xinwu to guide them. ”

Hu Weide almost jumped up when he heard this, and even his gaze at Yang Qiu changed.

If the resumption of the French Concession can really be used as a reason to start a war, the support rate for a civil war will definitely be much higher! Of course, this is not what surprised him the most, but Zhang Xiaozhun said that Wang Zhengting and Gu Weijun have no experience in signing important national civil contracts! Need his help.

It's ridiculous and generous to say it! The "Sino-Russian Friendship Pact" signed by the former and Russia is still hot, and how much business has the latter's visit to the United States brought to the country?! Even Europe is predicting that the future political circles of the Republic of China will be the world of the two of them and Murong Han, who became famous overnight because of Henan's land reform, and Chen Guofu, the secretary general of the YMCA! What's more, even if they are inexperienced, this calculating young vice president will be inexperienced? This is clearly to win yourself over and give yourself a great credit that will go down in history.

Take back the concession! Even if we only take back the nominal sovereignty, we will have to keep the tail of the free trade zone for ten years, but as long as we can break through this step and ensure a long-term sustainable foreign policy and long-term social stability in the country itself, the rest is just waiting.

This Yang Qiu's means of winning over people is too powerful, and he is willing to use such a big credit to win over himself! And as long as he signs it, he will immediately be regarded as his descendant in China, and he will wash away the political background from Beiyang! Facing his gaze, Yang Qiu stretched his waist freely: "During this time, Shaochuan has been telling me that there is a lack of helpers, and Mr. Xinwu has talked about how it is better to return to China after talking about it, so I can help him." ”

Hu Weide's heart is really unbearable, this is simply giving himself a great merit and then lifting himself to the position of the chief competitor in a few years! From a poor cloth to today, who doesn't want to be famous in history? Even Li Yuanhong bowed his head for the first official president, let alone himself. He looked at Zhang Xiaozhun with a wry smile: "Runnong, can you introduce me to the party?" Yang Qiu smiled and once again set his eyes on the vast but decaying French plain, Hu Weide can be regarded as the most capable and prestigious ambassador and institution of the Republic of China, and his inclusion in the National Society means that the large overseas power of the Republic of China will also be gradually under control!!