Prior to 1936, the League of Nations had had a few outstanding performances, but only in small territorial disputes, where the interests involved were so limited that they were largely settled. However, the East African War in 1936 involved Italy, one of the permanent members of the Security Council, and at that time, the Italian army, navy and air force were pressed on all fronts, and the momentum was astonishing, and there were many interests involved during the period.

It is true that the Abyssinian Empire is barren, but 'Britain has a direct and prominent interest in the Nile valley, which flows through several important parts of Abyssinia', because Britain was completely opposed to the Italian invasion of the country from the beginning, but the problem is that France fully approves of Italy's annexation - France fears that Italy will ally itself with Germany, which is secretly freed from the shackles of the treaty and intends to rearm, and in order to show goodwill, France not only does not condemn the invasion, but secretly supports and encourages it.

Historically, the East African War without Sino-Japanese intervention would have ended with the League of Nations imposing economic sanctions on Italy, but the peacekeeping troops sent by China and Japan were like the European gendarmes of Tsarist Russia, which inflicted extremely sharp losses on the Italian Air Force and stopped the atrocities in Italy. In this regard, although France did not send peacekeeping troops, and there were many verbal complaints about China and Japan, it was completely grateful in the heart, and it was really in line with France's desire for a third party to attack Italy;

As for Britain, she was terrified every day before China, Japan, the Soviet Union and other countries withdrew from Somalia, but the public opinion in Britain after the withdrawal of troops spoke highly of and praised the League of Nations peacekeeping operations in East Africa, and as for Whitehall on Downing Street, in order to further win over the turbulent Italy and maintain the balance in Europe, they constantly defended Italy within the League of Nations.

China and Japan sent troops. Britain and France benefited. Italy was the first to pay for the nearly $1 billion spent on the war in East Africa, because it had started the war in the first place, despite warnings. However, after Mussolini's 'suicide', the situation in Italy was chaotic, and Mussolini's designated successor, Libyan governor Itano Balbo, was actually shot down by his own warship anti-aircraft guns on the way home. After the failed chief of the General Staff, Bardolio, was accused of the conspiracy, and then Mussolini's son-in-law, Count Ziano, secretly returned home with the support of the military, and three months ago staged a military coup d'état, arresting Suvesi and others who were still ******** in his favor, after which he was appointed prime minister of Italy by the king and parliament.

The political situation was so chaotic in half a year that Italy could not afford a billion dollars, or that there was no stable government representative to negotiate, and Britain and France did not want to weaken Italy too much, so that they would end up with resentment and finally turn to Germany. It is the final settlement of military expenses and reparations that can only be borne by the Italian colonies occupied by the peacekeeping forces - the League of Nations takes over the Italian Somali colonies, as well as the local Italian assets, and the taxes collected locally, the funds obtained from the auction of Italian assets as compensation for the military expenses of the peacekeeping operation and the losses of Abyssinia, and when all these costs are paid, Italian Somalia will be returned to Italy.

To be honest, it is difficult for Italian Somalia to collect $300,000 a year, but this move has given the League of Nations at least a direct colony and rare prestige, and the number of member countries has surged from 44 to 74, and most people in the world believe that with the existence of the League of Nations, there will be no more wars of aggression in the world.

Where there are many people, there are a small number of people. For example, German Chancellor Goering. Originally, after seeing Mussolini's 'tragic experience,' Goering, Goebbels and others had invariably restrained themselves carefully, but when China, one of the gendarmes of the League of Nations, could not bear the pressure of the arms race and 'surrendered' to the United States, the Nazis, who felt that the time had come, returned to their former arrogance. In a meeting with the Austrian ambassador, Goering claimed that a demilitarized march to the Rhine was imminent, since it was German territory.

Goering's remarks caused an uproar after being circulated by the Austrian ambassador. The first to find Goering to protest was the French ambassador to Germany, François Ponsé. Seeing that the French were alone in coming, Goering arrogantly stated that the Rhineland was Germany's inherent territory. The march was an exercise of national sovereignty, and the meeting ended unhappily.

And then it got bigger and bigger – according to the Locarno Convention. France had the right to take military action against German troops entering the DMZ, and under this treaty Britain was obliged to support France with his own armed forces. It was only when the French Government was preparing for military action that the Chief of the General Staff of the French Army, Admiral Gamblelin, replied, as had been done in earlier history: "A combat operation, however limited, can lead to unpredictable surprises." Therefore, without the promulgation of the general ******, it cannot take (action) rashly. "What he was willing to do, and what he could actually do, was to concentrate thirteen divisions near the Franco-German border, with the sole aim of reinforcing the Maginot Line.

The military wanted to ****** the French government, which was in the midst of a party struggle, could not persuade the parliament to promulgate a general ******, so the last resort was to turn to the League of Nations, the second secretary general of the League of Nations, who was the Frenchman Joseph Avonneau. So, the following scene appeared.

Berlin, Wilhelmstrasse, Chancellery.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, I have the honour to inform your Government solemnly if your country sends troops into the demilitarized zone of the Rhine in violation of the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Convention of 1925. The League of Nations will impose economic sanctions on your country, and the League of Nations peacekeepers will immediately enter the demilitarized zone of the Rhine to expel your troops who have been illegally stationed......"

Standing in the glossy reception hall of the Chancellery, French Ambassador François Ponsé read out the official note of the League of Nations, his fluency in French that made German Chancellor Goering, Foreign Minister Niu Wright, and other Germans look like dirt. Within 10 days of their wild remarks, the French, in the name of the League of Nations, had co-opted a large number of countries to become enemies of Germany, and they thought that China and Japan would not be able to take Europe into account at all because of their negotiations with the United States.

After solemnly and proudly reading the note, the Frenchman puffed out his chest and handed the note to Prime Minister Goering like a rooster, looking upward.

"I hope you will understand that the Rhineland is an inherent territory of Germany!" Goering's gaze swept over the large group of ambassadors standing behind the French, and especially on the face of Zheng Yuxiu, China's new ambassador to Germany, paused for a moment. Only then did he say with hatred.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, the Rhineland region is indeed your territory. No country has denied this, but the demilitarization of the Rhineland is a commitment by the German government. I ask your Government to face this up to the moment. We ......" Nivelle Henderson, the British ambassador to Germany, looked behind him at the ambassadors of almost all the countries who had arrived, except for the American ambassador William Dodd and the Italian ambassador Artolico Bernardo. “…… Goodwill towards Germany, but goodwill presupposes Germany's compliance with established treaties. ”

"Goodwill?!" From the moment he received the assembly of the ambassadors at the British Embassy to the arrival of the ambassadors in their full drive to the Chancellery, Göring's heart was like a ball of straw paper, tormented and tormented, and he hated Goebbels for the conspiracy - he had said lightly that he would lift the spirits of the German people with an action, but now the result was that his pitiful face was trampled to pieces by the French. "If countries were genuinely well-intentioned, there should not have been this note." Goering insisted. Clenched fists.

"Your Excellency, your country can propose negotiations to other countries at an appropriate time, and my country has always supported your negotiations and opposed your country's brutal actions." This time, it was the Chinese ambassador Zheng Yuxiu, who was the only woman among all the ambassadors, but not only did this not hinder foreign affairs, but the woman's intuition allowed her to feel what male diplomats could not. At this point, she saw from Goering's flickering and evasive gaze that the problem was all solved, but the problem was that Goering needed a step down. "I propose that next month in the League of Nations be proposed by the representatives of Germany for a conference on the demilitarized zone of the Rhine......," she said.

"I am against ......" Before the French ambassador Ponsey could finish his objection, the British ambassador Henderson shouted: "I agree!" ”

The British ambassador made a statement. The rest of the ambassadors echoed, and Goering's earthy face finally turned a little pale, knowing that nothing would come of the talks, but that was enough. At least he and the National Socialist Party saved face. "On behalf of the German Government, I accept this note and will send a representative to the League of Nations next month to request that the issue of the Rhine demilitarized zone be reopened......"

After clearing his throat, he was under the banner of 10,000 words. Goering, sweating on his forehead, finally made a decision. This is a testament to the historical boast of Hitler to his old friend at his base camp on March 27, 1942, in response to the Rhineland-Raid – he exclaimed, "If it's not me, someone else will be the leader of Germany." What happens! Whoever you say, he'll be scared. I had to lie (at the time). But my unshakable tenacity and astonishing composure saved our ......" [Note 159: Excerpt from The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, p. 413.] Quoted from Hitler's Secret Conversations, p211. ]

Of course, this will never happen in another part of history, and the heroic determinism that a leader will influence (or create) the history of a country or even the entire world is also considered unjustified by the young people. However, this is the case, history, especially the history of countries and civilizations at crossroads, always has many directions, although there is one or another inevitability in the direction, but the choice of different paths in the same direction will bring a completely different destiny to a nation and a country.

Historically, Hermann Goering was a moderate, and he always believed that if Germany wanted to rise, dominate the world, and wage a war of plundering against the East, it must first develop the (wartime) economy, enrich Germany's military industry, and win the future war with sufficient economic conditions; Moreover, his favorite was not war, but military deterrence, which he believed could be used to control the economies of the countries of Southeastern Europe in order to make them bow down to Germany. It was for this reason that Goering, who was content with the status quo after the annexation of Austria, opposed the annexation of the Sudetenland, fearing that it would lead to war in Europe, and Hitler angrily denounced him as a "poor worm" who was greedy for life and afraid of death, and an "old woman".

Now, this 'poor worm' and 'old woman', who is greedy for life and afraid of death, is frightened when she sees that she is going to cause a world war, and unsurprisingly makes a compromise. Hearing about Goering's decision, everyone except for the Soviet ambassador Melikalov breathed a sigh of relief.

"Your Excellency, you have made the right choice with great wisdom." British Ambassador Henderson was not a clever compliment. He bowed and took his leave. As soon as the British took their leave, the ambassadors of the other countries also bowed and said goodbye, and after a while, the hall that had been full was empty. Only Foreign Minister Niu Wright, who was holding a stern note, stood on the spot - the League of Nations meeting on the Rhine demilitarized zone was sure to fail, and in order to release the resentment of the people. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which negotiated unfavorably, had to come up with a few scapegoats to appease public anger with him. Doomed to be dismissed.

"Your Highness, why do you propose to let ......" return to the embassy area, as soon as the French ambassador Ponsai got off the bus, he complained to Zheng Yuxiu - when she was sent to Britain as an acting ambassador during the First World War, she was fooled by the British, and she was recognized by Zhu Kuanji's uncle as a goddaughter, so she hung the title of county lord, so dignitaries from all over the world called her His Royal Highness.

"Mr. Ambassador, we must take into account Prime Minister Goering's feelings and give him an account to the people." Zheng Yuxiu's complaints about the French had long been expected. After Yang Rui's visit to France last year, the already close Sino-French relations have become closer and closer. The French have already decided that China is the Tsarist Russia of the past, and only by making friends with China or even signing a military alliance treaty can France return to its pre-war position in Europe - the second largest country in the world.

"But this will again give hope to the Goering government." Ponsey knew of Zheng Yuxiu's intentions, of course, but he thought it was appeasement to Germany. "In the future, they will think that every time they do evil, we will give him a chance to negotiate."

"No, Mr. Ambassador. This time Germany did not do evil, they only paid lip service to it, and we have today given the most direct counter to this arrogant propaganda. Zheng Yuxiu said with a smile. I'm sure they'll be careful next time. ”

"Of course!" Remembering his majesty at the German Chancellery, Ponsey was filled with joy. At that moment, France regained its former glory and victorious demeanor. It was only after self-absorption that Ponsai remembered another directive from the government, and said, "Your Highness. My Government may wish to invite your country, Japan, and the United Kingdom to conduct a military exercise in France. ”

"Military exercises?" As soon as Ponsey said that Zheng Yuxiu understood the intention of the French, they intended to deter Germany through military exercises, so that they would not dare to think about the Rhineland region again. After a slight turn of thought. She smiled and said, "Mr. Ambassador, I will contact China as soon as possible to inform your country of your invitation." But I personally think that the location of the exercises should be in Switzerland. ”

"Switzerland?" Ponsey was stunned and then somewhat understood what Zheng Yuxiu meant.

"Yes, Mr. Ambassador. This is a military exercise of the peacekeeping forces of the League of Nations. The participating countries can send their own troops to participate, and we can even fix the exercise and hold it every year. Zheng Yuxiu did not want the exercise to be held in France to provoke Germany too much, and she hoped that the exercise would further unite the actual operational capacity of the peacekeeping forces under the League of Nations - she fully understood the purpose of spending one billion Chinese dollars on military spending by China and Japan.

Switzerland is right next door to France, as is the border with Germany. Although the exercises held there are not very specific, they are valuable because they are held every year, and they are not limited to Britain, France, China, and Japan. If this is the case, in the event of a war between France and Germany, more than 70 countries in the alliance will be allies of France.

"Of course!" After turning his mind around, Ponsai thought that Zheng Yuxiu's idea was more conducive to the moment, and he saluted again: "Thank you, Your Highness, for your valuable proposal, I will make this proposal to the country as soon as possible, please wait for my news." ”

The old man in France kissed Zheng Yuxiu's hand in accordance with French etiquette and left quickly, but Zheng Yuxiu did not pay too much attention to Europe, she was judging the movements of the new cabinet through the internal briefings of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and newspapers around the world. Before the current cabinet took office, China's diplomatic line was clear: that is, to continue to suppress Germany and prevent it from provoking war; In addition, an alliance was made with the Soviet Union to avoid worries. Although the Soviet Union's fulfillment of the covenant was a question mark, if there was a real war with the United States, the Soviet Union would never act rashly when the war was unclear.

Such a diplomatic line is so clear that while the suppression of Germany may seem to have put additional pressure on China, it is tantamount to tying China to peace in Europe, and indeed peace in the world, which is uneasy when China is in trouble, and the world is uneasy if there is a war in the Pacific. When the United States deliberately provokes war in the Pacific, she will find herself in the same dilemma that Italy once faced: either submit to the mediation of the League of Nations and settle the dispute through negotiations, or insist on going to war and eventually be condemned by the rest of the world. Even if this condemnation does not have much effect, it can at least keep the vacillating British government honorably neutral because of domestic public opinion......

In the fragrant study, Zheng Yuxiu tried to make the League of Nations, France, Britain and China closer together. She took the briefing and looked at it for an afternoon, and when the lights were on, the Prime Minister's wife and Rebecca came.

"Are you here to thank me?" Zheng Yuxiu, whose identity is not lower than Rebecca, has a smile on her face, but she speaks first to stop Rebecca's mouth.

"Thank you?! Thank whom? "Over the years, Rebecca is still used to military uniforms, riding boots, and her rank has been promoted to major general – with her father's connections, she can always get a lot of good things from China." What the hell are you going to do?! Keeping saying that it is good for Germany and good for Germany is actually trying to curry favor with France and Soviet Russia by suppressing Germany! ”

"We just don't want Germany to provoke a war." Zheng Yuxiu looked directly at Rebecca and spoke about the principles of China's diplomacy with Germany. "Germany cannot rely on force to regain what it has lost."

"Don't talk to me about this cliché! What exactly do you want? Rebecca also stared at Zheng Yuxiu. Although the two are noble, they are both fateful, and they are completely equal psychologically.

"We just want peace!" Zheng Yuxiu is accustomed to using a diplomatic tone, which is another cliché.

"I don't think so." Rebecca sneered. "Now the Inspectorate is terrible to the United States, and dreams are worried that the American fleet will attack, otherwise how could that pug-like prime minister be elected, and how could he go to Washington to intercede?"

"Madame Prime Minister, please don't insult our Prime Minister!" Zheng Yuxiu immediately protested, "This is related to the friendship between the two countries. ”

"Hehe...... this is not my statement, this is the name in the domestic newspapers, I just borrowed it." Rebecca was forced to back down by Zheng Yuxiu, but she didn't want to show weakness in her words. "Am I wrong? The purpose of using all national strength to maintain the League of Nations is to allow the League of Nations to mediate when the Americans want to declare war. ”

"Mediation is only for peace. China established the country by force, defeated Japan, drove Tsarist Russia, intercepted Germany, forced the Soviet Union, and saved East Africa, that time it lost! Why are we afraid of America? Zheng Yuxiu's words were sharp, and the word 'interception' immediately made Rebecca's eyes darken—many Germans were imagining what history would have been like if the German army had not been intercepted by the Revival Army at Verdun?

"Okay, if Madame is here to quarrel, please go back." Zheng Yuxiu, who didn't want to fight with each other, was ready to serve tea to the guests.

"Of course I'm not here to fight." Rebecca was angry with the news told by Goering, China is in trouble for itself, but it still helps the French to come out, what is this called. "I have come here to make a suggestion, please pass it on to your country."

Rebecca obviously has a communication channel with China, but she wants to come to the embassy to talk about something, Zheng Yuxiu is very puzzled, but she still said politely: "Please Madame, please tell me in detail, and the official will naturally tell me." ”

"If the Americans really want to go to war, then the war will be limited to the Pacific Ocean, and it will not be able to fight the Atlantic. If Germany can support it at home, then Germany can help contain the American Atlantic Fleet in the Atlantic. Rebecca said the idea of the German Navy Commander-in-Chief Raeder, and when she saw that the corners of Zheng Yuxiu's mouth were getting more and more upturned, she gritted her teeth and said: "Although Germany does not have a navy, it does have submarines. The Atlantic Ocean is less than half the width of the Pacific Ocean, and American industry is concentrated on the East Coast. If there is a navy, even if it is a very weak navy to contain the United States, even if it is only an unrestricted submarine war, it can deal a great blow to the United States, so that the United States will greatly reduce its strength in the Pacific and have more hope of winning the war......

The corners of her mouth gradually lowered, Zheng Yuxiu's face was serious, and she waited for Rebecca to finish speaking before she said, "I will report these words to the cabinet." ”

"Good." Rebecca nodded with satisfaction, she was happy to see Zheng Yuxiu's serious expression, and said again: "I forgot to say that the Japanese government is willing to ally with Germany to deal with the United States, and I hope that this proposal can be considered well at home, which is better than those garbage countries in the League of Nations who can only talk big and don't contribute at all." ”

Rebecca came and went in a hurry. As soon as she left, Zheng Yuxiu drafted a report and put her proposal in China.

'The Atlantic Ocean is only half the width of the Pacific Ocean...... and the industry of the United States is concentrated on the East Coast ......, even if it is ...... unrestricted submarine warfare'. I have to say that this idea is extremely tempting, and Zheng Yuxiu's seriousness just now is precisely for this. The U.S. Navy is twice as powerful as China and Japan, but if there is an ally in the Atlantic to contain it, even if it is just unrestricted submarine warfare, it can also play a strategic role in containment. However, if Germany declares war on the United States and submarines are all over the Atlantic, the attitude of Britain and France will have to be reassessed. And the so-called 'support for Germany', what does it mean to support Germany? What kind of support will Germany have? (To be continued.) )