"As for the inferior people......s," Hoffman pondered his words, "I have never wavered in my opinion about the best and noblest of the Aryans." But that doesn't mean that other peoples shouldn't live in the world. Times have changed, and so have your ideas. Occupying and controlling the territory of a country is currently the most stupid thing to do, and that means you have to deal with a hostile people who will never be able to share your heart. Just like Russia, although its territory is large and its territory is vast, the power of many nationalities cannot be used by him - how many years has Ukraine been incorporated into Russia? So far, they still want independence, and if they insist on forcibly pinching together territories that do not belong to their own nation, they will only end up falling apart. Remember the Austro-Hungarian Empire? The Habsburgs controlled so many peoples and territories that they were defeated and never recovered like we did. Unless we have the ability to wipe out the population there, outright annexation is not a smart solution. It's a pity that the opportunity to exterminate the Indians with such impunity as the Americans is gone forever......"

Although the officer corps did not understand Hoffmann's current policy on the Eastern Front, they raised their hands to approve of the withdrawal of the SS and the reduction or even eradication of ethnic cleansing. Keitel nodded in approval of Hoffman's idea, but it was clear from his expression that he was still struggling to digest the information.

"My next step may make it even more difficult for you to understand, but I have asked the Foreign Office to send a note to Marshal Petain: the early repatriation of 150,000 to 200,000 French prisoners, on which the French government can restore some military strength. We can also return to them some of the captured French weapons if they need them; The military demarcation line, which we currently occupy, will be further retracted, and some of the territories, including Paris, will be returned to the French Government in advance, and the French will be able to move the capital from Vichy back to Paris; We define the Charles de Gaulle organization as a French rebel organization. Its actions are not considered official French acts, and we can assist the French government in apprehending the members of the organization; We will place orders for military and civilian products in France at fair and reasonable prices to help France grow its economic strength; We can also promise to guarantee the territorial and sovereign integrity of France after the war (Alsace and Lorraine are the traditional German districts), and we can also promise to help the French government restore the colonies seized by the British and Americans if they are willing to fight against them. ”

Keitel was shocked: "Führer, ...... are you?"

"In exchange for three major commitments from the French: first, to allow us to freely deploy our military forces in this war within France and the territory under French control. But we promise not to interfere in the internal affairs of France; Second, France has to pay some economic and military costs; Thirdly, the French will be the first to respond and join the new European Union. Hoffman said. The economic costs are still being discussed, and militarily I mainly want to gain control of some of the ships of the French fleet. ”

"Führer, I personally think that even if we do not give in, Marshal Petain will not dare to refuse our demands."

"He's not going to say no. But if we do that. Marshal Petain's prestige was finished. Hoffmann explained, "The Vichy government is at present a French government that is generally acceptable to the French and willing to be friendly to us, and we should treat such a regime with reasonable, full and effective respect." France has indeed been defeated by us, but France's cultural heritage, its national identity, its proud historical achievements, and its sheer population do not mean that it will not be prostrate at our feet forever - this is a country that has produced the Sun King and Napoleon, and you can defeat him for a while, but you cannot conquer him forever. ”

"But, Führer." Keitel was puzzled, "It's too late to do these things after the war." Why are you in such a hurry now? ”

"It's not that I'm in a hurry, it's that it's almost too late. These notes were reached only after our negotiators had a private contact with French Prime Minister Reival -- the Americans are preparing to land in North Africa, do you want to see the French there turn their guns and shoot us? ”

"Did Admiral Darlan choose to do this? Wasn't he still ready to take up the mantle of Marshal Petain? ”

"Darlan may remain neutral without an invasion, but do you think he can withstand the pressure and temptation of the Americans—especially the latter, and if the Americans say that they will support Darlan as the future head of France as long as he joins the Allies?"

"Didn't they support de Gaulle?"

"That's why I've always said that senior generals, especially those above the rank of general, must strengthen their political study." "De Gaulle is Churchill's echo worm, the Americans will not like him, and they also need to pick a figure who represents their interests in France, and in the eyes of the Americans, Darlan is far more valuable and obedient than de Gaulle." ”

"Is this information reliable?" Keitel was in a hurry, "How many Americans are coming?" When is coming? I never knew the exact news. ”

Yodel knew he was done. The Americans may have 3-5 divisions at the beginning of the landing, and if they are soon, they will come next month. A smile appeared at the corner of Hoffman's mouth, "I can't stop the Americans from coming, but I can find a way to make the Americans pay." ”

Keitel suddenly thought of something: "So, the ridiculously shameless conditions you promised the Italian leader last time were also based on this reason?" ”

"Based on the same starting point." Hoffmann explained, "The co-optation of the French in order to deal with the North African campaign and to create a new European atmosphere, the integration of our and Italy's industrial capabilities and resources in order to fight for a long time, the coordination of the independence of the countries of the Eastern Front and the armies in order to strengthen the fighting forces against the Soviet Union -- these are the things that the Supreme High Command has to convey to you, you must first try to understand and then indoctrinate the middle and senior officers, and you should know more information without causing confusion in your thinking." ”

"Yes, Führer, I hope the Italians will see this clearly."

Hoffmann said to himself: "I don't know what the Vichy and the Roman side are thinking about?" ”

At the very moment when Hoffmann and Keitel were meeting each other, Count Ziano was also listening to Mussolini's instructions.

Mussolini's response to Hoffman's conditions was fourfold: first, to assign southern Sudan to Italy, guaranteeing that Italy's East African territories (including Eritrea and Ethiopia) would have a direct border with Libia; 2. To increase the special interests of Italy in French Morocco, in addition to Tunisia; 3. Ensuring the supply of Italian agricultural products and oil after the German occupation of the Middle East; Fourth, strengthen Italy's air defense capability, integrate it into the unified management of Germany's air defense system, and resist British and American bombing.

"Are you really ready to accede to those demands of the Germans?" Ziano asked, puzzled, "This is something that is in Italy's vital interests, and the cabinet and the people will have an opinion on you." ”

Mussolini sighed: "What if you don't agree?" The Germans will not die ......"

"Or do we tactfully refuse?" Ziano persuaded, "On the North African side, I don't believe that the Germans will really leave it, it's a big deal that we have less territory." ”

"Forget it, promise the Germans."

"But ......"

"Reply to them. If Adolf agrees, I am willing to hand over the management of the navy, air force, and industrial production to them. The expression on Mussolini's face was mixed, and for the first time, Ziano tasted a mixture of hesitation, distress and helplessness – something he had thought would not be the kind of prime minister.

"Why?" He wondered that this was not Mussolini's style.

"It's actually very simple to figure it out, industrial capacity is the industry of the capitalists, and the Germans can't move away, and after their transformation and upgrading is completed, it is equivalent to enhancing our production and technological strength, and the Italian economy will have a qualitative leap after the war; Air Force and Navy Command, don't the Germans say it, don't they point fingers? Unless Italy does not want to fight this war again, it must be under unified command, and even Churchill can willingly cede command of the British army to the Americans, what am I reluctant to do? Moreover, if the Germans were not given command, they would not necessarily listen to me completely. ”

This remark related to the industrial and military system, and Ziano could not accept it, let alone defend it, he could only comfort Mussolini that this was not the case, and that the whole of Italy wholeheartedly supported the leader, although he himself felt that this sentence was false.

"Last but not least, this is the moment of Armageddon for the fate of Europe, and if we win it, we will have a large territory in North Africa, and I can account to the Italian people, and in the future European Union, in addition to the Germans, we Italians will have a place - all this can be explained to history; But what if you lose? Mussolini suddenly stared at Ciano with wide eyes, and said in a tone that made the latter feel frightened and palpitated, "It doesn't matter if other Italians go by, life goes on as usual, and they don't feel too much pain, but you and I are afraid that we will all go to the gallows, right?" ”

Ziano shuddered for no apparent reason, and it was only today that he realized for the first time that his leader and father-in-law, who had been so arrogant and vain, had such deep fear and uneasiness lurking in his heart.

At this moment, he understood, he understood the sorrow and difficulty of the dictator, and he nodded lightly: "I will convey my opinion to the Berlin side as soon as you instruct." ”

Mussolini didn't say much, only muttered vaguely: "The war has not yet reached its climax, but I feel that the day is coming......" (To be continued. )