Chapter 76 French Consul

The establishment of the Southwest People's Autonomous Government and the successful convening of the Southwest Economic Conference marked the official arrival of the vigorous wave of economic construction in the entire southwest region. Pen, fun, pavilion www. biquge。 info

In view of the economic and political importance of Chengdu in the entire southwest region, and with the ensuing economic construction after the political and economic situation in the southwest region stabilized, the Communist Progressive Party officially decided to move the party, government, and military organizations at all levels to Chengdu after the establishment of the Southwest People's Autonomous Government.

On this day, in the Yamen, the former governor of Sichuan, and now the General Staff of the Southwest Revolutionary Army, Xiao Mubai was receiving an important guest, Andy, consul of the French Consulate in Chengdu.

As the largest city in southwest China, Chengdu is also one of the first cities to station consulates of various countries, with more than 10 consulates of large and small countries so far, most of which are at the level of consuls. In view of the complexity and importance of diplomacy, as early as the beginning of the revolution, Xiao Mubai blockaded the embassy districts of various countries in the southwest in the name of sending troops to protect them, so as to prevent diplomatic incidents.

After the entire southwest region was controlled by the Communist Party, Xiao Mubai has been busy rectifying military affairs, government affairs, party affairs, etc., and has no time to talk to these professional diplomats, but after the situation stabilized, the blockade of consulates of various countries was lifted. After deciding not to contact foreigners for the time being, he just sent Foreign Minister Wang Chonghui to deal with common things.

Wang Chonghui in this time and space, after returning from Europe, did not join the League in Guangzhou as he did in another time and space because of the choice of the Communist Party.

However, when the French consul El-Rémi Bunce Andy came to see Xiao Mubai today, he said that this was a matter related to France's interests in the southwest region, and it was necessary to meet Xiao Mubai. In this regard, as a last resort, Wang Chonghui had no choice but to inform Xiao Mubai.

"Then ask him to wait in the reception room, and I'll come right away." Now the entire southwest region is under the control of the Communist Progressive Party, the situation is stable, economic construction is being carried out vigorously, and everything is proceeding in an orderly manner. After thinking about it for a while, Xiao Mubai decided to go to meet the consul. At this time, it is also necessary to take your eyes out of the southwest region and take a look at the outside world.

It has never given up its coveting of southwestern China, which is close to the French colony of Indochina, and has always regarded it as its sphere of influence. Therefore, France is more concerned about the revolutionary events that took place in the southwest than in other powers. Therefore, France knows more about the sudden emergence of the Communist Party as a revolutionary force than other countries.

Half a month ago, the Communist Progressive Party held a meeting to invest in large-scale economic construction in several southwestern provinces, and the French consul in Kunming had already learned the ins and outs of the matter and made a report to China. While the French government was shocked by the huge financial resources of the Communist Party, it was also tempted by such a huge profit cake. So under the orders of the country, the French consul in Kunming began to be instructed to take the initiative to find ways to contact Xiao Mubai, the senior leader of the Communist Progressive Party, and now the actual controller of the southwest region. It's just that before they could act, the organs of the Communist Progressive Party at all levels had already moved to Chengdu. So, of course, the task in the hands of the Kunming consul was transferred to the hands of the Chengdu consul Andy.

"Your Excellency! You're so much younger than I thought! After Andy saw Xiao Mubai, a trace of surprise flashed in his eyes, and he walked over with a smile.

Xiao Mubai carefully glanced at Andy, the first French consul in Chengdu, compared to the Chinese of this era, Andy is much taller, a little thin, wearing a tuxedo, at this time he has taken off his bowler hat.

"Mr. Consul, you are much younger than I thought!" Xiao Mubai was also full of smiles, and quickly replied in fluent French. Because it was a private conversation, Xiao Mubai seemed very casual, and because he was proficient in French, he did not have a special translator.

Xiao Mubai's fluent French not only surprised Andy, but even Wang Chonghui, who accompanied him, also glanced at the young government premier, there are many people who can speak English and know English, but there are not many who are proficient in French. Obviously, they didn't know that Xiao Mubai was also proficient in English and German.

"I wonder what Mr. Consul is here for?" Xiao Mubai asked politely.

Hearing Xiao Mubai's direct question, Andy stopped beating around the bush: "Your Excellency, the main reason for coming here this time is to ask a few things!" ”

"Oh?" Xiao Mubai was obviously a little unhappy with Andy's arrogant tone.

"First of all, we need to know whether your government will guarantee the interests of French businessmen and expatriates!" Andy asked.

"Naturally, the government of the Autonomous Region has been and is guaranteeing the legitimate rights and interests of all foreigners in the region, including France."

Hearing Xiao Mubai say this, Andy seemed very satisfied, so he continued: "For the economic construction plan proposed by the autonomous region government, the Chinese government has fully affirmed and approved it, and expressed its support. I would like to know whether your Government can guarantee security in the south-west so that the commercial activities of our businessmen can proceed normally. ”

Hearing this, Xiao Mubai couldn't help frowning, it was obvious that he heard Andy's meaning. The French are tempted by this economic construction project and want a piece of the pie. It's no wonder that with $500 million in funds, such a huge investment, there will be people who want to intervene there.

For Xiao Mubai's frowning brows, Andy didn't seem to see it, but continued: "The technical strength and credibility of our French businessmen are very guaranteed, and I believe that they are still very willing to contribute to the economic construction of your government." ”

"At present, our army has cleared the enemy troops in the territory, and is currently cleaning up the bandit forces in various places, Your Excellency do not need to worry! I can trust the strength and credibility of your businessmen, and our construction projects also need the great assistance of international friends. Xiao Mubai still had that reserved smile on his face, in fact, he was already extremely annoyed and disgusted in his heart, the insatiable greed of the imperialist powers, this moment was vividly embodied.

"It's very good, and the French government will still support normal business activities." Speaking of this, Andy paused for a while, looked at Xiao Mubai and said, "It's just that we got news that your army has stationed two divisions of military strength on the Sino-Vietnamese border, I don't know if this is true?" ”

Hearing this, a few thoughts quickly flashed through Xiao Mubai's mind, what does the French mean? Warning or threat?

"Your Excellency Consul is not wrong in the news you received, our army has indeed deployed two divisions of troops in the western Yunnan region, but these are only two newly formed divisions deployed in the area to train in this area, which are only used to deter the localities, and there is not much combat effectiveness. Please rest assured that my Government has no intention of targeting the Government of France. Xiao Mubai replied plausibly.

"I accept the explanation of His Excellency the President and will report back to the Government of France. Finally, I hope that your army will maintain its friendship with the French Republic and refrain from any act that provokes my government. Xiao Mubai's answer, Andy was obviously very dissatisfied, but he also realized that today's conversation could only go on to this point, and the results achieved today were not small. So, with a smug look, Andy got up and took his leave.

After sending the French consul away, Xiao Mubai's face was already blue. Wang Chonghui, who accompanied Xiao Mubai and witnessed the whole conversation, was also indignant on his face.

"Chairman, shall we redeploy the forces deployed on the border inward, so as not to provoke the French?"

"No need, Liang Chou, you don't have to worry about this matter, just drag them in the future. Don't look at the French here to give us harsh words, in fact, they are empty-minded! Xiao Mubai was non-committal about Wang Chonghui's suggestion, and Wang Chonghui's ideas represented the majority of Chinese at this time. However, Xiao Mubai knew that at the moment, the main force of the French was competing with the Germans in Europe, and he still took care of a small local force in the Far East.

"Sooner or later, I'll make you Gallic chickens look good." Xiao Mubai said secretly in his heart.