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"Is it really right that we are putting a lot of money and manpower into the line of defense on the border between the two countries? I don't think so. After seeing the French Ministry of Defense's army development plan for the new year, de Gaulle couldn't help but shake his head. However, at this time, he could not speak at all at the meeting of the French army's high ranks, for the simple reason that after the defeat in the Italian campaign, de Gaulle had been ostracized by the French Ministry of Defense. Soon after, he would go to French Algeria as commander of the colonial garrison.

"In fact, the most terrible thing is not the military mistakes, in any case, these bunkers and fortifications built on the border have always been useful in defending against the attacks of the German army. What is really scary are the capitalists and the right-wing parties they support. Their compromises and concessions are the deadliest. It is unrealistic for these people to take the initiative to stop the German invasion by assing themselves like turtles. ”

"They tend to say that since the German fleet has entered the Mediterranean and Indian Oceans, and since the Germans have begun to hoard supplies and deploy troops in the valley of the two rivers, the direction of their attack will be Iran and South Asia. There was no need for France to pay a huge price for the benefit of the British, who thought they could stay out of the war. This is an extremely naïve idea. I always had a hunch that I didn't think Germany would let us go in the next war. According to a Chinese proverb, one mountain cannot tolerate two tigers. Western Europe is too small to accommodate two land powers, and the British still have the capital to tempt, and we don't. The words of the French colonial minister, Paul Reynaud, were full of discontent and concern.

Broadly speaking. Whether it was Charles de Gaulle, Barton, Montgomery, or Zhou Xuan, they were all losers. But Montgomery and Zhou Xuan managed to do well in northern Italy, the former sending tens of thousands of Austro-Hungarian officers and soldiers to prisoner-of-war camps, while the latter defeated the best units of the German army. They spoke highly of them, and their defeat was not due to incompetence but to the excessive difference in strength between the two sides. But Barton and Montgomery are different. Although they are under more pressure, the tactics that have always tended to be conservative give people a mediocre performance. In fact, of course, in the case of almost complete air supremacy of the opposing side. It's pretty good to be able to delay the support of the national navy. But these explanations don't make any sense in the face of all the money.

Not all of them are so mediocre, and Paul Renault is one of them. He worked as a lawyer and then entered politics. When de Gaulle returned, he happened to be the head of the French colonial department. (The above are facts.) It's not the author's fabrication. At this time, de Gaulle, who was at a low point in his life, was facing the threat of taking off his military uniform. In this moment, Paul became one of the most important nobles in de Gaulle's life. He kept de Gaulle's military uniform on the grounds that the colony needed career officers. Although he was relegated to Africa, where birds don't, it at least gave him a chance to start over. And just before de Gaulle was about to take office, Renault Paul once again came to de Gaulle's residence, in addition to sending off this friend. Paul Reynaud had some other things to command.

"Supposedly you're going to be the finance minister? So good, I congratulate you. I wish you all the best. De Gaulle personally stood up and poured a glass of Bordeaux red wine for the latter, and congratulated him sincerely. (Historically, Paul Renaud did serve as France's finance minister, but a little later.) ）

"I just moved my office from one room to another. And you have a vast world where you can display your talents, if I have your ability and experience. I'd like to switch places with you. Looking at de Gaulle's strange face, Paul Renault said with a sincere face. …

"You and I have a premonition that France is about to face a catastrophe, our enemies are sharpening their swords, and French politics is dominated by a bunch of cowards and lucky guys. We need to deal with the next war, and mainland France is clearly not a place where to seriously prepare for war. Renault's words were filled with resentment.

"What you think." After hearing Renault's words. De Gaulle couldn't laugh or cry. However, in the face of his benefactor, de Gaulle still explained with 120,000 patience: "Now the war is about national strength. If we lose our homeland, then even the most powerful armies will wither as quickly as trees that have lost their nutrients. And even if our army could exist, we would not be able to defend France with the support of the national industrial system, so what would we do when this system was gone? By that time, our position among the Entente will be even lower. So your idea is very unrealistic. ”

"But we can't do anything better, can we?" Paul Renault said self-deprecatingly: "No matter what, France is also a colonial power, even if it loses its homeland, France still has a huge colony and navy, of course, the navy matters also depend on Darlan's attitude, we can't interfere, as long as this force does not collapse, then this is our bargaining chip with China, the United States and Britain." Think about how much we can get from the wreckage of the Allies if the present Germany and Austria-Hungary were to fall. And you now have French military power in Africa. Isn't that an opportunity? Paul Reynold's words were filled with a firm tone.

"We're just preparing for the worst, and I've seen some documents from the Ministry of Finance and know how much money the state is spending on that line to the east, and I think that even if the money were to be played in half, it would at least hold back the Germans." Paul Renault said half-seriously, half-jokingly. "Brother, listen to me, in the whole of France you and your army are the only army that can fight outside its borders. We want our allies to recognize our value. Only then will we have a place. The better you fight, the less pressure there will be on the French mainland, and the more the allies will value France's role and lend a helping hand when France is in danger. I know what you're worried about, money and people. I can help you solve part of the former, while the latter is up to you. ”

"In terms of personnel, we can look for veterans who fought in the Italian Civil War, not everyone can meet a noble person like you like me. A considerable number of them were discharged, and the rest were transferred to the non-combat sector. This is a huge waste of talent. With these people as the backbone, if I am given a few more years, this army can completely grow to the size of a group army. Of course, the premise of all this is that there is money. De Gaulle looked at Paul Reynaud, and the meaning was clear, that is, how much money can you give me?

"The money I give may not be a lot, at most it will be about % higher than the current colonial military spending. You should trust me, though, money is not an issue. The key is whose money is wanted! Is it to be west or east? Paul Renault said in a low voice. This involves the question of taking sides in the future, and it must be cautious.

"I'm a soldier, not a politician, at least not yet. If we take not money but equipment, I would prefer Huaxia. Their army equipment is really good. Better than ours and better than those of the United States and Britain. If we think about it politically, I think we will stand with whoever can help France keep the key colonies in Africa! In the future, France will have to choose a reliable ally, if we can win, Italy will definitely be on the side of China, Britain and the United States will be on the side, and we? De Gaulle shook his head a little weakly and said. These questions were too far away for him to think about right now. …

"That means you're more inclined to Huaxia? Is that so? Paul Renault asked.

"I'm just talking about equipment, not anything else." De Gaulle emphasized. "Also, if I'm not mistaken, my government has no intention of participating in the Iranian campaign this time. If we do not participate in this war, neither the United States nor China will invest their precious resources on us. People are not philanthropists. De Gaulle asked with a hint of confusion.

"Of course, the local regular troops will not participate, but it does not mean that the colonial troops and foreign mercenaries will not participate, after all, this is the action of the alliance, and even the peripheral members of Huaxia have invested a lot of money, if France does not express it, it is really impossible to explain. We've already started lobbying, and it doesn't seem to be much of a problem now. Paul Renault said.

"But you know the level of equipment of the colonial troops and mercenaries, do you plan to let us go to the law and order?" De Gaulle was stunned for a moment, and then said with a little embarrassment.

"If no one provides heavy equipment, then our colonial troops and foreign mercenaries can only be line troops, and if we receive equipment from others, then we will have to accept the command of others. This is a dilemma. The government is still very struggling with this, and I prefer to let you decide. Paul Renault glanced at de Gaulle.

"You're putting me on the fire to roast me. If my troops receive assistance from one side or the other, if there are major casualties and captures, I will be doomed. As for the troops? This is undoubtedly fatal to our plan, we want to let the other side know the value of the French Army, not tell the allies that we can only be policemen. De Gaulle smiled bitterly.

"And what about your choice?" Paul Renault ignored the complaints in de Gaulle's words, and in his opinion, if de Gaulle was not even willing to take this risk and responsibility, then what was the point of him supporting de Gaulle? "I'd rather join forces with Huaxia. At least they are better equipped. It's just equipment. De Gaulle said after a moment of contemplation.

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