1908 Far East Maniac Chapter 180 Strategic Disadvantage

The Commander-in-Chief finished his speech. The dozen or so senior officers present here are all long-awaited and have already understood the true plan of the commander-in-chief. Although not all agreed with the Commander-in-Chief's opinion. But since the military order is like a mountain. It's not a unified understanding. At the beginning, the commander said that Yuan Shikai would definitely oppose the Qing Dynasty. Now the wisdom and sagacity of the commander-in-chief have been proven by the facts. Who in this room has such a vision?

Prestige and prestige are built step by step.

In the presence of the unquestionable authority of the commander-in-chief. Silence hung over the meeting.

Jiang Fangzhen was the first to break the silence. said: "Commander-in-Chief Jun Jian." In the opinion of the department. The power of virtue is certainly strong. But: the heart of Europe. Face to face enemies. The coastline is semi-closed. Overseas trade routes were easily blocked by the British Navy. As soon as a large-scale war really broke out in Europe. I'm afraid it won't be Germany that will have the last laugh. Now we are getting closer to Germany. Will it cause hostility to the Entente? Let alone. The outbreak of war in Europe is only the speculation of the commander-in-chief. If war does not break out. Aren't we thieves from the Allies? It's easy to get on a thief ship. Shipwreck*. And now the international situation is volatile. Vertical and horizontal relations are also a common rule in diplomatic circles. Who can guarantee that once the UK and Germany reach a behind-the-scenes deal. The state will not betray us? ”

Zhao Bei said lightly: "Believe me." As long as Wilhelm II was Emperor of Germany. As long as Germany's ally, Austria-Hungary continued to expand its influence in the direction of the Balkans. As long as countries with the same ambitions for the Balkans are rearmament. As long as the military mobilization system of the great powers remains unchanged, a full-scale war in Europe is inevitable, and it will never be a quick decisive battle. The Europeans had to pay a heavy price for the backwardness of their military doctrine. ”

"Since there is a real war on the continent. Are we also standing in Germany with the Entente in the war of the Allies? ”

Lan Tianwei asked. He also couldn't understand why the commander-in-chief was so confident, at least for now. Europe is not yet in sight of the posture of going to war. The Persian-Persian crisis has just been resolved peacefully. It was when European diplomats celebrated their victories that there was a hint of war? Although the commander-in-chief has a long-term vision, the situation in front of him is real. After all, China is in the Far East. The focus of the European powers is on Europe and the Near East, and no one can guarantee that they will not make temporary compromises on China.

Zhang Jiyang said: "Joining Germany does not necessarily mean that there is no possibility of winning. Now the allies are three countries. The Entente was also three countries if China joined the Allied bloc. Although our industry is minimal. But we have plenty of troops. If Germany is willing to arm us. At least we can flank Russia with Germany and the East. And so it goes. Four countries fight three countries. There is no possibility of winning. If it's really open. I would rather suggest fighting with Germany. Turning the Far East around in one fell swoop. ”

"Have you forgotten about it? Rì was an associate member of the Entente. If the country goes to war against Russia. rì Ben would certainly invoke the obligations of the Russian Entente. A joint attack on land and sea was carried out against us. The British alliance will also be launched as soon as possible. ”

Fang Zhen disagreed with Zhang Ji's opinion. He stood up. Walk up to the map of China's territory hanging on the bulkhead. Pointing to the picture, he said: "Since the Sino-Japanese War." China's strategic disadvantage is irreversible. North. It's the Russi Empire. Now it has control over the whole of Outer Mongolia in the northern part of the three eastern provinces. There is also a strong presence in xīnjiāng. East. It was the Rì Ben Empire. The three eastern provinces, southern Taiwan, and Fujian are all its spheres of influence. South. It's French Indochina. It is connected with the British-Burmese India of the face. It can be said that China is now basically surrounded by the Entente countries. They can strike deep into our interior from any direction at any time. If the Allied side fights against the Entente. Britain, France, and Russia will be able to carry out a joint attack on us. With the current situation of the fragmentation of the Chinese government. ”

"But that's just theoretical. It is very difficult to achieve this kind of combat mode of separate attacks and combined attacks. Because there are no good roads in China. There are also very few railways. So. The commander-in-chief has been emphasizing only the other day. Once the war began. However, it is a protracted war. We can trade space for time. China has a population of 40,000. I don't believe it. rì could have been quick to solve. Drag the military power of the Entente on the Chinese battlefield. It will also have an impact on the European theater. Britain and France would not be stupid enough not to see this. ”

Jan shook his head disappreciatively. Stick to your own opinions.

"So. The Great Powers have always seized control of China's railways. One is for commercial gain. The second is to control China. But. Stone man. Your view is indeed a little more optimistic. Let's not talk about whether the German [**] industry can support the two [**] teams of China and Germany at the same time. Even if the Germans are willing to arm the [**] team. But the army is not able to pick up 1 and fight. training of employees. The quality of the officers. Coordination of commands. Combined operations of various services. These take time to be honed. If war in Europe had broken out in a few years, as the commander-in-chief had said, it had broken out in a few years. It is difficult for us to guarantee that enough qualified troops will go to the battlefield. And. If the Great Powers want to destroy us. You don't have to send troops yourself. We can arm each powerful faction. The Beiyang Army is a good choice. So in my opinion. China's primary goal at present is to unify the whole government. And not to join some military bloc. ”

Lan Tianwei also disagreed with Zhang Jiyang's opinion. But his focus is not on international strategy. It's military common sense.

"Everybody's saying it's good. That's what a meeting looks like. Each has its own opinion. Pool the wisdom and efforts of everyone. Only in this way can the correctness of military decisions be guaranteed. This is an important sign that the revolutionary army is different from the old-style army! Everyone's job is different. There are different levels of military ranks. But in the conference room. All people can participate in the theory equally. ”

Arguments about his subordinates. There is no opinion on the north. But considering that their topic gradually deviated from the topic of the meeting. So no, it is not up to the commander-in-chief to come forward to end the argument.

"About the war in Europe. We don't have to cāo mind this question now. Plans haven't changed soon? There are no eternal friends. Only constant interests. Who can guarantee unity within the Allies? Not all the members of the Entente are as powerful as Britain, and it is better not to fight in internal affairs, but if there is a war. The situation within this is not easy to say. ”

Seeing the commander-in-chief, he smiled strangely. Curious, he asked, "The commander-in-chief thinks." Which of the Entente countries was the weakest? ”

"Russia, of course. The Russo-Japanese war a few years ago has exposed its weaknesses. This is similar to the First Sino-Japanese War, which exposed the weakness of the Manchu court to the great powers, after the Russo-Russian War. Russia hastened to form an alliance with the British. It is to prevent some countries from taking advantage of the fire to loot. Because it has to be busy sorting out its internal affairs, Russia looks strong now, but if it dares to intervene in the war in Europe. I dare say. It must have been the first Entente member to fall. ”

The commander-in-chief just said a few words lightly, and then the conversation changed.

"But then again, since war in Europe has not yet broken out. Why should we cāo this heart? Instead of worrying about the Europeans, it is better to go to the arsenal. Let's see if the four cannons are installed. Since the destruction of the Jinjipo fortress in Jiujiang. Our IRA has never been equipped with such a large cannon. ”

The cannon that Zhao Bei said was four 20mm howitzers. This Austro-Hungarian cannon was not as good as a German-made cannon. But it's also a new product. And there are artillery carriages. It can be very convenient to maneuver. That is, you can use the Guardian Fortress. It can also be used in field battles. The four cannons received by the Han Arsenal were originally stored in the German fortress in Qingdao. One of the contents of Huangzhou's secret agreement. It was Germany that aided the Republican Army with a few important guns in the short term. It is used to hold the Yangtze River waterway.

Although the grenade is a professional gun, it is a new weapon. The caliber was no worse than the battleship main guns. The cannon power is extremely strong. The commander-in-chief was generally satisfied.

The four howitzers were transported from Qingdao to Hanyang yesterday. Unloaded in the middle of the night. After the assembly is completed at the Arsenal. It will be arranged at the foot of Mt. Turtle in Hanyang. It can not only hold the Yangtze River waterway. It can also provide strong fire support for the defense of Hanyang. Good anti-cline formation, anti-artillery bunkers, and the excellent quality of the cannon itself. Unless the enemy brings in large warships. Otherwise. Hanyang = The fort is impregnable.

Except for the Fortress Cannon. The commercial counselor of the German consulate in Hankow, Kolf, also promised to draw the strings for the Hanyang Arsenal. Purchase of new rifle lines and machine gun lines from Germany. As well as a full line of bullets. And hire more technical experts to assist the arsenal technicians to carry out a comprehensive transformation of the old production line. in order to create more advanced rifles. Meantime. It also purchased two sets of state-of-the-art steelmaking equipment and rolling equipment for the arsenal. The arsenal was able to make a part of the high-quality barrel steel and cannon steel.

Correct. None of these things are free. And. The premise of all this is to see whether the anti-British actions of the Republican Army are "sincere and resolute". So. No matter what his subordinates think. Zhao Bei's anti-British stance must not be shaken. At least for now. The IRA must adopt a resolutely anti-British posture. Let the German Emperor feel that it is worth the money.

As a traverser. Zhao Bei is very Chu that the German emperor's xìng grid. Fickle and stubborn. Impulsive and rash. If you use it well. It may not be impossible to help China.

As a traverser. Zhao Bei also understood. During the period of the "Cold War" between East and West. The United States and the Soviet Union were engaged not only in a fierce military-military race. And in order to weaken the power of the other side. Very generous in aid to the "enemy of the enemy". The current international situation is very similar to that of the peak of the "cold war". The difference. Now there is no nuclear. Therefore, the arms race between the "Entente" and the "Central Powers" eventually turned into a hot war.

Now that we know that World War I is about to break out... It was necessary to get enough of the benefits from Germany and the "Allies" before the outbreak of the war.

The advantage of the traverser in strategic vision can fully compensate for the disadvantages in other aspects. Speculation is more certain.

“。 Now that they are all unified. Then don't sit here in a daze. Let's take a look at the four cannons. ”

The meeting ended. Zhao Bei stood up. took the military hat handed over by Tian Jinfu. Wear it on your head. Led the group of senior officers out of the warship conference room.

Since the small steamer "Sea" was running aground, it was unloaded. It was cleared and taken downstream. So now it is the "Republic" that acts as a ship. It is docked right next to the "Sea". I saw the flag on the warship. Hurriedly anchored to help. But not before the commander-in-chief got on board. And they heard a roar from the sky. They all looked up. But I saw a small black dot in the southeast sky.

"Airplane!" Zhao Bei was the first to recognize the true identity of the little black dot.

Since traveling to this era. It was the first time he had heard the roar of a flying engine. The excitement in my heart is stronger than anyone else's. Although he began to plan the purchase of aircraft very early on. But so far. There are no channels available yet. The purchasers and military representatives who were sent out were simply blindsided. Not to mention airplanes. I didn't even buy a balloon. Hannagen, president of the Federation of Overseas Chinese Entrepreneurs in Germany, agreed to buy some planes for the Republican Army. But no one knows when those planes will arrive in Wuhan. And there are no suitable pilots.

Zhao Bei's excitement quickly passed. Then Jǐng tied. Now the rì fleet is still in Jiujiang. Didn't dare to provoke again in the lake. But no one can guarantee that the plane was not sent by Rì himself. After all, Hankou has a rìben concession. Moreover, ships from various countries still dock at the Rì concession from time to time. So. His next sentence was: "Tian Jinfu." The two machine guns on the bridge were ready. Wait for my life to fire! ”