"You're right. "But when Germany aggressively competed with Russia in the Balkans, when Germany pushed back the British in Baghdad, and when Germany threatened France in Morocco in North Africa, arrogance and superstitious thinking about force and violence had slowly taken over, and it was difficult to listen to any contrary advice.www.biquge.info And we're not going to do that. ”

"That's true." Jiang Zuobin said: "Wilhelm II was ambitious, impulsive and reckless, and often showed an arrogant attitude towards problems or others. He wanted to justify his foreign policy with good intentions, but he repeatedly made serious mistakes that made foreign relations even worse. ”

Wilhelm II, by his impulsive and reckless nature, failed to adopt a rational approach to German foreign policy. A good example of this is his love-hate relationship with his cousin, who ruled Britain, and England. For him, an armed conflict with Britain was "the most unimaginable"; However, as his plans to expand his navy extensively began, the rise of Germany worried the British.

William did not realize that his recklessness had tarnished his image as emperor. In 1896, President Kruger of the Transvaal successfully suppressed the Janssen expedition, and the Kaiser congratulated him by telegram. Relations between the Boers and Britain were tense at the time, so Britain was angry at the Kruger telegram.

In 1908, when he was interviewed by a British newspaper, he wanted to promote the friendly relations between Germany and Britain. However, in the moment of his rashness, he offended England, France, Russia, and Japan. He pointed out that the Germans did not like the British (and he was not), that France and Russia had instigated German intervention in the Second Boer War, and that Germany's naval expansion was directed against Japan, not Britain. One of his famous sayings was: "You Englishmen are crazy, crazy." ”

William also tried to ease the French mood of revenge, but it was similar to the policy towards the British. He failed disgracefully because he didn't know how to improvise. On the one hand, it was based on France's unwavering revanchism (defeat in the Franco-Prussian War) and resentment against Germany; On the other hand, during his visit to Tangier after the first Moroccan crisis, he inadvertently made statements in favor of Moroccan independence, which angered France, which wanted to expand its sphere of influence there.

"Anyway. Wilhelm's vigorous advocacy of militarism, support for Germany's military expansion, and support for the development of the military industry have plunged Germany into a military race. When this race becomes unmanageable, war is inevitable. Chen Wenqiang said lightly: "Moreover, for British politicians and soldiers, this mode of war is traditionally very familiar. Britain was involved in wars on the European continent every century for the sake of national interests. The purpose of each British involvement in the war. Either to eliminate competitors at sea, or to prevent a major power from controlling all or most of the continent's resources. ”

"War seems inevitable." Jiang Zuobin said: "It's just that the time is difficult to grasp, and if you want to start a war, it's not difficult to find an excuse." ”

Chen Wenqiang agreed: The Balkan issue is complicated, and it is not difficult to find a suitable reason for bellus at any time. The lack of control in the First World War was partly the result of a lack of planning.

When governments plan wars, they always think that war can be accepted and easily controlled; But if the war came unexpectedly. The war is likely to determine its course on its own. When governments entered the war in 1914, none had a clear and definite goal for the war. If only before the war. If the belligerents have a definite goal, it is easy for the war to be stopped in moderation and not to develop indefinitely.

"We can infer the timing of the war, and that is when Germany's economic and industrial strength surpassed that of Great Britain." Chen Wenqiang pondered and said: "According to the current development rate of Germany, I am afraid that war is not a very distant thing. So. We must be prepared in a real way. The navy cannot be developed overnight; The army, on the other hand, must have a certain size before the outbreak of war, at least surpassing Japan. Our country is not afraid of a possible naval blockade. ”

"Our country is rich in resources. It is not dependent on overseas trade, which is indeed an advantage in this regard. Jiang Zuobin said: "Moreover, a closed and peaceful development environment is not a good thing for our country." If Japan breaks out again in the event of another war with our country, as long as the government's determination is unwavering, the army's fighting is fruitful, and the war returns to the traditional mode of war of attrition, Japan's defeat will only be a matter of time. ”

"You're absolutely right." Chen Wenqiang's appreciation for Jiang Zuobin was beyond words, and he said with a smile: "The diplomatic work you have done since taking office has also been very effective, and you have contributed a lot to the smooth resolution of the Outer Mongolia issue." Come, and tell me a little bit about William, and Prime Minister Bateman. Knowing oneself and knowing one's opponent can win all battles, this sentence of our ancestors, presumably foreigners cannot understand it thoroughly. ”

Just as Germany has found a development model for latecomers to catch up with and surpass advanced countries on the basis of science and education. The New Republic also regarded national education and science as a powerful force for economic development, and the State formulated policies and laws to guide the direction of economic operation.

One of the most important things for the government is that it attaches great importance to the cultivation of the quality of the people and uses this as the foundation for the revitalization of the country. Marshal Moltke, who defeated France and captured the French Emperor, once said: "The victory of Prussia has long been decided from the podium of the elementary school teacher." ”

Germany lagged behind Britain in its industrialization process, but it embarked on the path of modernization in its own unique way. Education for all has produced highly qualified citizens for Germany, universities have brought creativity and invention to Germany, and intellect has become the country's most important resource. With this resource, Germany in the 19th century led the second industrial revolution and stood at the forefront of the world's scientific and technological development.

In the more than 40 years since reunification in 1871, the German economy has developed by leaps and bounds. Germany is the largest producer of coal and steel in Europe; The total output of chemical products has jumped to the first place in the world; By 1910, Germany had surpassed all European countries in total industrial volume.

But when the world looks at the rapidly rising Germany with envy, it is often overlooked that it is the relatively peaceful development environment after German reunification that underpins all of this. And now, it is the important task of securing precious development opportunities for China, a country that has been constantly contained by foreign powers. fell on the shoulders of Chen Wenqiang and others.

This is a very difficult task, the ability to cross and close, the innate aura of diplomacy, Chen Wenqiang thinks that he is not as good as Bismarck, but he also has his advantage, that is, he knows the general historical trend. It is also able to probe the psychology of most people, and can carry out highly targeted activities.

And now, all he has to do is to take advantage of the established scientific and technological superiority of the United States and Germany, or rather, he wants to go one step further on the shoulders of giants. Of course, a certain amount of effort can be rewarded.

Siemens, Wolff, Krupp, Volkeng and other well-known German large enterprises are all his targets, because almost all of the important inventions of the electrical era were born in Germany. From 1851 to 1900, Germany achieved 202 major scientific and technological innovations and inventions, more than Britain and France combined. Ranked second in the world.

As for Germany's rough and direct diplomatic methods, Chen Wenqiang did not want to persuade and give advice. Regardless of whether or not he could get the German government to accept his proposal, Wilhelm II's reckless character alone made him have no need to risk offense and do something unnecessary. Moreover, for the First World War that is about to break out, Chen Wenqiang even has an inexplicable expectation.

As for the relationship with Germany, Chen Wenqiang did not take it too seriously, leaving aside other factors. Only by truly pursuing foreign policy entirely on the basis of interests and the balance of forces has completely ignored the limitations and differences between ******** and social systems. can be regarded as a truly mature politician.

Through Jiang Zuobin's detailed introduction, Chen Wenqiang had a deeper understanding of the current situation in Germany, and also understood that Germany's involvement in World War I was not a matter of two people, and that with the rise and prosperity of a group of national chauvinist groups dominated by the monopoly bourgeoisie, their political ideas and demagogic propaganda also directly affected the government's policies.

These chauvinists have invented all kinds of theories about the existence of war, the theory of the omnipotence of war, saying that war can eliminate the "surplus population". Economic crises can be averted, war can promote human development, and human beings can "eugenics". Cavalry General Hattie even openly said: "War is the father of everything!" War is not only a biological law, but also a moral law, and therefore an indispensable element of civilization. ”

After the beginning of the twentieth century. The gloom of chauvinism and national expansionism permeated the skies over Germany, poisoning people of all strata. In a country with a serious militarist tradition and a country that has always been extremely sensitive to the national question, this rampant chauvinist propaganda has undoubtedly played a role in fueling the waging of wars of aggression.

Under the propaganda of chauvinism, this "world" has not allowed the best nation to play its due role, and it is very "unfair" that the nation with the most economic talent on the planet, the nation with the strongest ideology and the strongest organizational ability, cannot play a dominant role in the world and take responsibility. Therefore, it is only natural to use fire and sword to exterminate foreign races, so that Germany, a nation that "governs people", "becomes a model for creating a new atmosphere in Europe and in the world."

When he arrived in Berlin, accompanied by Prime Minister Batemann, Chen Wenqiang met with Wilhelm II, and this feeling became even stronger. Although Wilhelm II had a disability in his left hand, his confidence and stubbornness still left a deep impression on Chen. And the phrase "German temperament will once again revive the world", which proclaimed the superiority of the German nation, became almost the spoken word of Kaiser Wilhelm, and it was also the phrase that appeared most frequently during the meeting.

Similarly, Wilhelm II was taken aback by the Republican government's determined plans to expand its army. The regular army is going to reach a million in five years, which is a surprising number. But for China, with a population of 40,000, it seems that the proportion is not very large.

In fact, if it were not financially supportive, the Government of the Republic would prefer to achieve this goal within three years. You must know that the so-called regular army is not a rabble that is randomly recruited, it must be fully armed, it must be trained, and it must receive patriotic education, which is the army in the true sense.

"One million is not much for a big country like China, which is surrounded by enemies on all sides and has a vast territory." Chen Wenqiang explained: "According to the proportion of the population, it is not even one percent. ”

"Yes, China's population is really huge." "It may be a burden," said Wilhelm II thoughtfully, "but when used properly, it is also an unsettling force. ”

"It is indeed a force that makes Japan and Russia feel uneasy." Chen Wenqiang emphasized with ulterior motives: "Like the strong national feelings of your country, the Chinese people have always been haunted by the huge territory lost during the Manchu era. ”

The great power that seized the territory of China is now Japan, apart from Russia. This is indeed a convincing reason, and both are potential enemies of Germany. Judging from his expression, Wilhelm II was very satisfied with this obvious hint of Chen Wenqiang.

"Territory is indeed the root of hatred." Wilhelm II nodded in agreement, his left hand habitually holding a white glove, so that the left hand, which looked disabled, could grow longer, "because of the relationship between Alsace and Lorraine, the relationship between Germany and France also seems to be difficult to reconcile." ”

"Alsace and Lorraine, which would have been the land of the Holy Roman Empire." Chen Wenqiang provoked very badly: "Because of Napoleon's aggression, it became the territory of France." The French regarded the righteous act of the German Reconquista as aggression and forcible occupation, and the frivolous and arrogant, fanciful and impulsive national character of the Gauls determined that France could not be at ease with the superior status quo, that it was impossible to forget to take revenge on Germany, to wash away the shame and to regain the lost territory, regardless of the cost. Although the vast majority of the inhabitants of Alsace-Lorraine speak German, and its annexation to France was the product of the Bourbon expansionist policy towards Germany, the Gauls have always remembered the story of thirty years ago, but not the lessons of three hundred years of history. ”

Wilhelm II was very happy that Chen Wenqiang's sycophant shot did not leave a trace, and this is indeed a historical fact. According to Chen Wenqiang, Germany's forcible occupation of Alsace and Lorraine is a matter of course, and there is no unreasonableness at all. If France is obsessed with this, it will all be a matter of nothing, and I don't know what to do.

Chen Wenqiang went on to tout: "Everything that the Germanic peoples have created and possessed in the spiritual aspect has world significance, and the decline of Germany means the irreparable loss of all civilization." Since Luther, Kant, Schiller, no nation has been so seriously committed to building a spiritually independent and moral world. (To be continued.) )