Iranian Shah Pahlavi was a little excited when he faced the Chinese envoys. Because what he expected didn't happen. That is, representatives of China and the Soviet Union appeared together in Tehran, the capital of Iran.

Since the 19th century, the Persian Qajar dynasty has been weakened by British and Russian aggression. Chaos abounds. By February 1921, Reza 61 Khan, an officer of the Cossack division, staged a coup d'état and became prime minister. In 1925, the National Assembly deposed King Ahmad 61 Shah, and in December of the same year, Reza 61 Shah proclaimed himself king, and the Pahlavi dynasty was officially established.

This usurpation is not particularly unusual for Iran. As an ancient civilization, Iran has endured thousands of years of ups and downs. In the Middle East, Greece, Macedonia, Rome, these historically famous countries have all fought wars with Iran. And now that these countries have disappeared, Iran still exists. Even after Zoroastrianism in Iran has largely come to an end, Iran continues to exist on the model of a "heretical" Shia among Muslims. Sectarian hostility with the Wahhabis of the Bedouins who rode camels.

Chen Ke has a good impression of Iran as a country, which by the 21st century is already an industrial country of the Muslim world. Whether it was the two Westernized kings of the Pahlavi dynasty or the Iranian National Interest Council later set up by Khomeini, the country has always worked hard to industrialize, and it has made great progress.

Young people at 21st Century Iranian forums discuss clothing, pop, music, marriage, childcare, and some otaku who are at a loss because they can't find a partner also make posts. The style of an industrial country.

Of course, as an industrialized country, all kinds of things are unavoidable. If it is Biqi, all the industrial countries in the world can be said to be the eldest brother and the second brother. The United States, a religious country, in the same era of industrialization as Iran, may not have been more advanced than the Iranian religious police.

Pahlavi I was a very powerful king, he once wore military boots into the mosque and violently beat the religious elders of the mosque who insulted the queen. As a result, the whole of Iran cheered, but someone came out to administer justice. Such a powerful king's power drove the industrialization of Iran, and he was considered an excellent leader by all in Iran.

Since he was a good leader, Pahlavi I knew very well that the king Yin Jian, who was deposed by the Congress, was not far away, and he himself could not lose power and humiliate the country. It was mainly Britain and Russia that oppressed Iran, and if the Soviet representatives had appeared with the Chinese representatives, the Pahlavi shakh knew that he would not have had an easy time.

Of course, the Chinese side is also well aware of this, and the special envoy said straight to the point: "Japan hopes to develop friendly relations with Iran on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence." That's why our President Chen Ke sent me to reach more agreements with your country on oil trade. ”

Pahlavi I has been worried about this lately, as the war between China and Britain intensified after China's invasion of the Indian Ocean. What will be the attitude of this rising Asian power towards Iran? It's worth thinking about.

Naturally, the Chinese envoy will not give a vague answer, and what is needed now is credible diplomacy, not ambiguous threats. "If a relationship agreement is signed between Japan and Iran that includes the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, we will conduct our affairs in accordance with these principles. The purpose of my visit is to discuss with you one thing, if we destroy British maritime power in the Indian Ocean, will you be willing to enter into an agreement with us on the oil trade between our two countries? ”

Pahlavi I did not understand what was going on at first, and he frowned and motioned for the Chinese delegates to explain further.

China's explanation is as follows. Is Iran willing to export oil to China if China can clear British naval power in the Indian Ocean and can secure the Chinese oil route to Iran, and China itself sends tankers to trade oil with Iran. Of course, China will not force such trade from Iran if it is not able to drive Britain's naval power out of the Indian Ocean, or at least out of the Persian Gulf.

The Shah of Iran, accustomed to seeing the faces of imperialist countries, was stunned by China's statement. Such a thoughtful plan not only did not excite Pahlavi I, but greatly aroused the king's sense of crisis. Powers never do that, and Iran has a lot of experience in that.

"So what do you need us to do?" Pahlavi I asked.

"We hope that your country will remain neutral and not join any military or political alliance, including China. We in China will do everything possible to ensure your country's neutrality, national sovereignty and independence in Iran's internal affairs. Including convincing the USSR to guarantee the independence of your country together. The Chinese envoy said, "After all, an independent and neutral Iran can do business with us with confidence and boldness." What we need is a stable oil trade, so we especially want Iran to be independent and neutral. ”

Even with the Chinese envoy's interests at the forefront, Shah Pahlavi I of Iran felt that China's proposal was "too sweet" and that it was likely to contain deadly poison.

The oil trade between China and Iran was only interrupted after the Sino-British war began a few months ago, and Iran is of course very happy if the Chinese can really pull British naval power out of the Indian Ocean. On the anti-British side, the Germans worked hard to win Iran into the Axis powers. But that would come at a significant political and even military cost to Iran. China's plan seems to be better than Germany's. Not only does Iran not need to make political and even military commitments and contributions, but once China can really get rid of the British, as the envoy said, the resumption of oil trade will be equivalent to an immediate restoration of Iran's economy.

As for whether the oil trade with China would offend the British, Pahlavi I did not think so. Britain has been driven away, why should Iran be tied to the British station car. To be sure, Pahlavi wanted Britain to be completely destroyed. Even if China fails to take out the British, or if the British come back a few years later. As long as Pahlavi I did not join the military and political alliance against Britain, Britain really could not do anything to Iran.

Pahlavi I could only take this into account for the time being, so he settled the envoys to rest and gathered his staff and cronies to begin discussing the Chinese proposals.

Since Iran had no intention of backing the British, Iran would naturally not choose to go to war with China after Britain was ousted. Even if this deal is leaked, Iran has nothing to lose. This is a choice that any normal country would make. So there's really nothing wrong with the agreement itself.

The only question is whether China will be able to abide by the agreement. But after much discussion, Iran did not see what Iran could do to China if it did not abide by the agreement. As a king trying to reclaim all sovereignty, Pahlavi I finally decided to hold talks with China for the time being.

The yuan is not yet the currency of the world, and Pahlavi I asked the Chinese envoy what China wanted to pay with. The Chinese envoy came up with a payment plan. From building railroads, building factories, and selling everything from military supplies to civilian goods. China can cooperate with Iran to the fullest.

This list gave Pahlavi a sense of China's sincerity, and if China offered to give Iran currency, Pahlavi I would consider the Chinese side to be an outright liar. Although this barter itself is very problematic, it is very difficult to cash it out. But that's how China can make sure. In the deal, China promised that goods could be transported to the Iranian border by rail on Soviet territory. China could even help Iran build a comprehensive rail network from the border to all parts of Iran, if it wanted to.

The negotiations that followed were even more realistic, and China was even willing to take the lead in getting Iran to sign a non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union. Provided, of course, that Iran can remain neutral. China doesn't even care that Iran maintains oil trade with the UK. Of course, it is impossible for China to escort British oil tankers to Iran.

The characteristics of the capable and the incapable are whether or not they "regret their lives in the face of great events". Pahlavi I is clearly not a guy who "forgets his life for the sake of petty profits". After carefully weighing the request made by the Chinese envoy, Pahlavi I put forward his point of view on the Chinese side's "suggestion that Iran remain neutral." Whether China opposes Iran's entry into other military alliances.

The attitude of the Chinese representative was very sincere: "As long as Iran does not join the hostile side with China, we in China will absolutely not have any military conflict with Iran." Similarly, if Iran joins other military alliances, do you believe that China will protect Iran's sovereignty and territorial integrity in the event of an external attack on Iran because of such military alliances? ”

This explanation is very simple, clear and easy to understand. Pahlavi I was well aware that China was trying to persuade Iran to remain neutral from the perspective of its own interests. But this level of egoism did not displease Pahlavi I. Iran has thousands of years of history and deep political wisdom. As the leader of this country, Pahlavi I considered the attitude of China to be called very friendly.

China was able to drive out the British and stabilize the Soviet Union, and Iran's sovereignty could naturally be restored. Through the oil trade, Pahlavi can also take into his own hands the oil industry, which he has long hoped to nationalize. As for the oil trade, Pahlavi wants to go big, not end. As long as the money earned from the export of oil went into the hands of Pahlavi I, Pahlavi I did not care who he did trade with.

Eventually, a secret agreement was reached. After China drove Britain's naval power out of the Indian Ocean, Chinese tankers could go to Iran to trade oil. Iran will decide whether to join other military alliances on a case-by-case basis. Of course, Iran will inform China of the changes in this regard beforehand. At least for the time being, Iran will try to guarantee its independence and neutrality.

On the very day of the agreement, the Shah of Iran, Pahlavi I, received a newspaper. He subscribed to a number of foreign newspapers, including the New York Times. In the second edition, a report about a naval battle in the Indian Ocean shocked Pahlavi I.

New York Times reporter Edgar 61 Snow reported in Colombo on July 14: In the early morning of July 14, the weather was very clear, and I was on the warship 0054, the new flagship of China's Indian Ocean Fleet. This is a newly launched heavy cruiser, accompanied by the warship in the direction of the Indian Ocean is the first detachment of the Chinese Indian Ocean Fleet, the fleet is speeding at a speed of thirty knots, originally I was on the warship 0054 to cover the military operations of the Chinese Navy in Ceylon, but I did not expect to encounter a naval battle.

……

An hour later, an officer told me that a Chinese fleet had recently found the British Indian Ocean Fleet in the midst of an ongoing war, and that the first squadron had rushed to the field of naval warfare.

At half past twelve o'clock in the afternoon, we saw a group of torpedo attack planes returning triumphantly, and they once again skimmed over the battleship to the cheers of everyone.

By two o'clock in the afternoon, we had finally arrived at the place of engagement, where only a few destroyers were shuttling through the smoke of gunpowder, apparently rescuing those who had fallen overboard. As the two sides passed by, it seemed that the ships were all Chinese warships, and the sailors crowded onto the deck to wave and cheer us. It is clear that they are cheering the flagship.

I carefully observed the deck, which was crowded with people, seven or eight destroyers, as well as cruisers, which were filled with sailors. Judging from the clothing, there were thousands of British soldiers who were rescued after falling into the water. Oil stains and floating debris can be seen everywhere on the surface of the sea. The entire range is tens of kilometers large, and it is difficult to imagine the extent of the fighting that took place here.

At this time, the ship made another radio speech, and before I could hear it clearly, the crew on deck erupted in cheers, and I learned from the excited warriors who accompanied me that a reconnaissance plane had spotted the British fleet seventy nautical miles to the southwest, and that it was fleeing southwest at a speed of fifteen knots, and the pilot confirmed that the battleships in the British fleet had indeed been seriously damaged. It is clear that it was the wounded battleships that slowed down the British, and the British could not escape......"

Before the sun went down, we finally caught up with the wounded British battleship, and with the help of an officer, I was allowed to go up to the high lookout. The Chase telescope I bought in Germany worked, and under the guidance of the lookouts, I finally saw the terrifying battleship 40,000 meters ahead, its huge body still standing out in the dimmering twilight.

The observer told me that this was the British battleship "Sovereign". Having fled the battlefield with him were another battleship and two heavy cruisers, the last remaining combat strength of the British fleet. Now, the British fleet is nowhere to be seen, and now it is alone, and the other British warships have abandoned it and fled.

Suddenly, I noticed that the Monarch burst into flames, and the fireworks enveloped it. The lookout soldiers next to me hurriedly reported to the bridge using the ship's internal communication system: "Attention! Enemy ships fire! ”

The size of the Chinese fleet was not large, with only one heavy cruiser, as well as two light cruisers and four destroyers. It is clear that they are not here for naval battles, but to track down the enemy. In the Indian Ocean, China fights with its air force. Despite the rapid progress in science and technology, the officers and men of the Chinese Navy still frankly admit that with China's current shipbuilding capacity, they do not yet have the strength to pick the pearl in the crown of the navy, the battleship. They can only rely on the Air Force to deliver a lethal blow.

The Chinese fleet, which had caught up like a pack of wolves, was spotted, and the British battleships were still safe for the time being. None of the Chinese warships had armor that could withstand the main guns of the battleship HMS Sovereign. Not even the Project 0054 heavy cruiser with a displacement of 18,000 tons.

In response to the Monarch's long-range firing, an officer pointed to the jet of water that exploded in the distance and explained to me that the British were just demonstrating their range and hoping that the Chinese warships would not get too close.

The silent pursuit continued, the Chinese fleet patiently chased its prey like a pack of wolves, time was more favorable to China, and planes far faster than warships were desperately approaching. For the lone battleship Sovereign, if it was attacked by a large group of aircraft, it was only a matter of time before it was destroyed. And whether the British battleship Monarch could evade the attack of the Chinese air force before dark and return to the Indian Ocean port at night. At least to return to the cover circle of the British Air Force, it is a matter of its fate. I think the sailors on the British warships must have been praying hard at this time.

But the luck of the British warships was not so good, and I finally saw the shadow of the fleet in the sky before the sun sank below sea level. After the Chinese occupied Ceylon, they invested heavily in field airfields, and they did not have time to use cement to pour the runway, so they simply used quick-drying cement and steel plates to build the runway. In a very short time, the Chinese Air Force had an airfield for the take-off and landing of torpedo attack aircraft groups.

Other Chinese naval vessels then fired flares and flares into the air. In the afterglow of the beautiful sunset, these rising bright "stars" illuminate the battlefield in extraordinary beauty.

And a few minutes later, the British warship suddenly reduced its speed and raised other flags on the mast. A new announcement was immediately broadcast on the Chinese radio, and soon the whole ship was boiling. The British warship turned out to have surrendered.

If the British warship does not choose to surrender, there will be no other possibility than sinking in such an isolated situation.

When the Chinese Navy went to be surrendered, it was also quite nervous. If this was a hoax by the British, the Chinese destroyers that came within range of the British battleships were simply sending them to their deaths. Fortunately, the British side is not creating a scam. If it did, the battleship Monarch would be subjected to frenzied retaliation. Most of the ship's crew was afraid that it would not survive.

The surrender lasted more than two hours. The British sailors who surrendered were ordered by China to quickly move to the Chinese warships. The Chinese destroyer then fired a torpedo at the British Monarch, sending the huge battleship to the bottom of the sea. It is clear that the Chinese side had no intention of using the battleship.

Because the battleship 0054 on which I was traveling, having received some of the British prisoners, returned to the Kra area as soon as possible. So I didn't get to see the last moment of the Sovereign. ”

According to the Chinese Navy, the naval battle sank three battleships, an aircraft carrier, two heavy cruisers, and with the previous losses of the British Navy, the British Royal Navy's Indian Ocean Fleet now has only 30% of its combat strength left. Whether Britain will continue to build up its forces or use its remaining warships to maintain its presence in the Indian Ocean is a matter of speculation. ”