"Yes, the United States is our common enemy, and in order to deal with the United States, the Japanese Empire needs the help of Germany and Italy." Konoe Fumiro had already heard the meaning of Mussolini's words, and he also guessed that Mussolini's statement must have been instructed by Hitler, and it seems that Hitler also had the intention of using Japan to contain China.

Hitler nodded meaningfully and smiled: "Germany and Italy will do their best to reconcile the Sino-Japanese conflict to ensure that the Axis powers can unite against the United States. ”

Hitler's reply seemed to reassure Konoe Fumiro, and he smiled lightly: "I think this issue should be discussed by military experts, and the Japanese Minister of War, Senior General Nagata Tetsuyama, is also in the delegation, so he can discuss a suitable aid plan with the German and Italian generals." Your Excellency, Your Excellency the Prime Minister, what do you think? ”

Hitler and Mussolini exchanged glances, and then agreed to Konoe's proposal to let Marshal Keitel and Marshal Balbo, who had come to Tehran with them, go to discuss with Nagata Tetsuyama.

After sending off the guards, Hitler and Mussolini did not leave, but found a seat under a cloister in the palace garden and sat down, Hitler's brows were tightly furrowed, as if he had something on his mind, Mussolini tentatively asked: "My Führer, China's Wang Jingwei and Luo Yaoguo have arrived, should we meet them?" ”

"Of course, we have to meet the Chinese," Hitler said lightly, "and they will soon be the masters of the entire Eastern world." Even if we defeat the United States, for quite some time. It would be better to avoid conflict with China. Mr. Mussolini, you go and talk to them first. It's best to go tonight. ”

Mussolini seemed to hear from Hitler what was going on in Japan. It seems that the Führer did not intend to give Japan really effective help. It is also possible to think. No matter how much Germany helped Japan, it could not save the fate of Japan's defeat.

"You go and tell Luo Yaoguo that Germany and Italy will not be deeply involved in the problems between China and Japan, and can only be resolved by the two of them themselves." Hitler said again.

Mussolini smiled. He already understood what Hitler meant, and he wanted to tell Luo Yaoguo that Germany's help to Japan was only up to the point, and it did not mean that Germany wanted to completely break with China.

The Grand Palace, where Hitler and Mussolini stayed, was built by the Pahlavi dynasty on the outskirts of Tehran. Luo Yaoguo and Wang Jingwei were arranged in the Rose Palace in the center of Tehran. It is an old palace, but now it has been renovated. It became Anastasia's royal palace in Persia. The empress arranged Luo Yaoguo into her palace, as if to show Hitler her special relationship with Luo Yaoguo.

In fact, the relationship between Russia and Germany is somewhat similar to the relationship between China and Japan, but the figure of the Russian empress is much softer than that of the Japanese emperor. If you should bow your head, you should bow your head, and if you should pay for your smiling face, you should pay for your smiling face, even if it is to accompany the bed, there is nothing wrong with it...... But the abacus is also shrewd, and he will never be stupidly used as a gun by others.

When Mussolini rode around the narrow, crowded streets of Tehran in his car for a long time, it was already past 9 o'clock in the evening when he arrived at the Rose Palace in the center of the city. At this time, Luo Yaoguo, who had been tired from the journey, was already lying on Her Majesty's French bed, half-squinting, listening to a naked Russian empress introduce the current undercurrent of the European situation. European international politics has always been very complicated, even Luo Yaoguo doesn't know much about it, so he can only let this empress, who knows everything about European international politics, make up for herself.

The current situation in Europe is, on the whole, one superpower and many powers, and Germany is naturally the European hegemon of the superpower. Russia, Italy, the United Kingdom, France, Poland and other countries are considered powerful countries. Under the powers, there are also Sweden, Norway, Finland, Spain, Yugoslavia, Greece, the Netherlands, Belgium, Hungary, Romania and a large number of other independent countries. At present, these "powers" and "independent countries" seem to be dominated by Hitler on the surface, but in private they have their own small calculations, and no one is really willing to be a servant of Germany.

However, for this expedition to the United States, almost all European countries were "strongly in favor", France readily handed over its fleet to Germany, and Italy followed the pace of the Führer and prepared to send a large army! On the one hand, Russia agreed to Germany to recruit "volunteers" on its territory, and on the other hand, it also sold a large amount of strategic resources to Germany. Along with Britain, which was close to Britain, it provided Germany with a large number of merchant ships to help them transport troops...... Hitler was also ambitious for this and was bent on conquering America.

However, many high-ranking generals in the German ** team are worried about the future war. In their view, Germany's surrounding situation is not stable, and several powerful countries, including Russia, France, Britain, and Poland, are unwilling to let Germany "rule". If Germany suffers a major setback in the Americas, there is a good chance that these countries will turn back!

Therefore, Germany had to maintain a strong military presence within its borders while going on expeditions to the Americas. At the same time, they also suggested that it would be best to use as many "Allied forces" as possible in the German expedition, and that European countries, including Russia, France, and Britain, should be required to declare war on the United States and send troops to help.

The Russian empress also told Luo Yaoguo that she had agreed to Germany's request at the first time, and that the Russian Empire would declare war on the United States together with Germany and send a certain number of expeditionary forces to participate in the war. At the same time, of course, she prayed to Christ Almighty, which caused the Germans to suffer an unprecedented defeat in the Americas...... It is better to annihilate the army of Napoleon's expedition to Russia!

But when Luo Yaoguo asked whether the Russian Empire would join the anti-fascist camp if Hitler's expeditionary force was really defeated by the United States, the empress replied no!

When the chief maid of the palace informed Mussolini of his arrival, Luo Yaoguo was almost dizzy by the intricacies of European international politics. Almost began to sympathize with Hitler. If China is now in the company of a jackal (referring to Japan), Germany is surrounded by a pack of things that I don't know if it's a fox or a lion. All China needs to do is make a little effort to kill the jackals. Germany, on the other hand, could only exert its power on the so-called fascist client states, although it could maintain its rule. However, it cannot completely eliminate the hidden dangers.

If Germany suffers a big loss in the Americas this time. Now it's the turn of the Americans to dig into the corners of Europe! This. The United States, which also belongs to Western civilization, has a way compared to China! For many years to come, Germany's main focus will probably be on maintaining European hegemony...... And the United States may also replace Germany as China's number one external threat in the future!

……

The meeting with Mussolini took place not in the main halls of the Rose Palace, but in a small Persian-style living room connected to Anastasia's bedroom. The three guests sat down around the carved coffee table, and the empress asked the maid to serve Indian black tea. Mussolini bowed his head and took a sip of tea. At the same time, he glanced at the two people opposite him out of the corner of his eye, and knew that he was a villain, so he smiled slightly and went straight to the point.

"Mr. Hitler, the head of German state, and I have just met with the Japanese Prime Minister, Mr. Fumiro Konoe, and we have learned about some of the differences that have recently occurred between China and Japan...... Seem. At present, the situation in the Eastern world is not calm, and it is even on the verge of war. on this. The German head of state and I are very worried, after all, the United States, the main enemy that threatens world peace, has not yet been eradicated, and Japan happens to be our common anti-American ally with Germany. If there were a war between China and Japan before the victory of the war against the United States, it would put us and Germany in a very awkward position. Perhaps, China and Japan can put their dispute on hold for the time being and wait until the United States is eliminated before finding a solution. ”

After saying this, Mussolini glanced at Anastasia I, and the empress immediately understood, smiled at Luo Yaoguo, and said: "Yes, our Russian Empire will also follow His Excellency the Führer to participate in the war against the United States, and from this point of view, we are also allies with Japan." If China and Japan go to war, we Russia really don't know whose side to stand on. ”

Luo Yaoguo took a sip of coffee and smiled at the empress: "Of course, whose side Her Majesty wants to stand on depends on Russia's national interests, and the so-called allies are just partners formed for the sake of interests, if Your Majesty feels that it is in Russia's interests to stand on the side of Japan, then I can only express deep regret." ”

Hearing this, Mussolini's expression changed slightly, of course he knew that Luo Yaoguo's words were ostensibly for the Russian empress, but in fact they were for Germany and Italy. Even if Germany and Italy are on the side of Japan, it will not change China's determination!

Mussolini frowned slightly, and was considering the following rhetoric, when the sweet and greasy voice of the Russian Empress sounded again, and the Empress laughed lightly and said, "Of course, the Russian Empire must show support to Japan to a certain extent...... After all, Japan and Japan are allies in the same opposition to the United States, but this does not mean that we will fight against China on Japan's side. After all, the conflict between China and Japan has little to do with us, and it should mainly be resolved by China and Japan themselves. The support we provided to Japan was mainly for the needs of the war against the United States. ”

As soon as the empress's words came out, Mussolini couldn't help but give a thumbs up in his heart, this woman really knew something, and knew that there were some things that she was not easy to say as an Italian leader, and she would offend Luo Yaoguo if she said it, so she said it for herself. However, this also seems to show that the relationship between her and Luo Yaoguo is extraordinary.

Luo Yaoguo didn't answer immediately, but frowned and thought for a long time, the room was silent, and after a while, he snorted coldly: "The war between China and Japan is inevitable, and it will break out soon!" If Her Majesty insists on providing assistance to Japan, Sino-Russian relations will inevitably be affected a little. ”

Mussolini had obviously gotten the answer he wanted, and he smiled faintly, with a somewhat regretful expression on his face: "The attitude of Germany and Italy towards the Sino-Japanese conflict is the same as that of Her Majesty's Russia, and this problem should be mainly resolved by China and Japan, and other countries cannot play a decisive role, nor should they be too deeply involved in the conflict." He looked at Luo Yaoguo solemnly and said, "Italy wants to maintain friendship with China, but we will provide some small help to Japan. I hope that Your Excellency the Marshal will understand. ”

Mussolini had almost made it clear that he was talking to Luo Yaoguo that Italy was trying to deal with Germany. I always have to give something to Japan. However, Italy will not give anything good, and I hope that it will not ruin the friendship between China and Italy. Luo Yaoguo had a calm face. Sneered a few times: "Since that's the case." China will wait and see. Time will tell who is a true friend. ”

As a politician, Luo Yaoguo has certainly learned a little bit of performing arts, although he has a straight face, he is still satisfied with this result in his heart. It is entirely understandable that Hitler and Mussolini gave little Japan a little help and asked them to cause more trouble for China. After all, China has done a lot of such things!

Now that the attitude of Germany and Italy in the Sino-Japanese war is basically understood, the last obstacle to the start of the war can be regarded as clearing. Now wait for Song Ziwen, vice president of the Executive Yuan, who is on a secret visit to the United States, to sign three important agreements with the US side, namely, "financial loans," "leasing machinery and equipment," and "Sino-US military-technical cooperation agreements," and the Sino-Japanese war can begin!

……

Just when Mussolini went to the Rose Palace to test China's hole cards. Fumiro Konoe also returned to the Japanese Legation in Persia, where he was staying, and summoned Nagata Tetsuyama. Yosuke Matsuoka and others discuss the situation. Nagata Tetsuyama was somewhat frustrated, shortly after Konoe Fumiko's meeting with Hitler. Field Marshal Keitel of Germany hurriedly came to the Japanese legation to meet with Nagata Tetsuyama.

After greeting each other without a word, Keitel took out a list that had been prepared a long time ago and handed it to Nagata, on which was a list of supplies that Germany and Italy were ready to provide to Japan, only a thin two-page page, which listed some aid items, such as 500,000 tons of oil through the South American route, 500 No. 2 assault gun G, 300 BF-109 fighters, 3,000 Iron Fist anti-tank grenade launchers (I don't know how to use them?). ), 100,000 tons of special steel, 10,000 tons of aluminum...... All of this aid could only be transported to Hawaii by German freighters, and the remaining thousands of nautical miles had to be transported by Japan itself.

But that's not the most disappointing. What made Nagata Tetsuyama vomit blood the most was that when Field Marshal Keitel was leaving, he regretted to inform him that due to technical reasons, Germany could not fulfill the agreement to supply enriched uranium to Japan for the time being! Nagata didn't know that the Germans did this because they had heard the news of China's successful atomic bomb test! Under such circumstances, they are naturally unwilling to challenge China's bottom line on the issue of "nuclear proliferation."

"I didn't expect the Germans to shrink back on the issue of aid! Only such a small thing, Nagata-kun, are we going to reconsider the issue of going to war? Konoe Fumiro was a little undecided, so he asked Nagata Tetsuyama's opinion.

Nagata Tieshan shook his head, and said with a gloomy face: "The war between China and Japan is inevitable, even if Germany doesn't give anything, we can only fight hard!" Because if we don't go to war, the Chinese will also go to war! Now there is still a chance to win the adventure surprise, otherwise there is no one way to survive. ”

"So when should we do it?" Fumiro Konoe gritted his teeth and finally made up his mind.

"The sooner the better!" Nagata Tetsuyama took a deep breath and replied, "Please send electricity to the country and let them activate the Special No. 1 Operation Plan!" The combined fleet can now depart from the port of Kure. ”

In order to carry out the "Special No. 1 Operation Plan," the main force of the Japanese Combined Fleet secretly returned to Kurejun Port on 2 October. And two air fleets were also formed specifically for the sneak attack on the Zhanjiang military port, the 10th Air Fleet and the 11th Air Fleet. Among them, the 10th Air Fleet has six large aircraft carriers, including Akagi, Kaga, Feilong, Shenlong, Zuizuru, and Xianghe; The 11th Air Fleet is composed of seven light aircraft carriers, including Longxiang, Ruifeng, Xiangfeng, Longfeng, Daying, Yunying, and Chongying. In this battle, Japan dispatched a total of 13 aircraft carriers and had nearly 600 carrier-based aircraft, including as many as 500 kamikaze special attack aircraft.

At the same time, Combined Fleet Commander Isoroku Yamamoto has secretly deployed 500 kamikaze planes at five military airfields on Luzon Island, and a total of 1,000 kamikaze planes will be deployed to launch a surprise attack on Zhanjiang, the home port of China's South Ocean Fleet!

"Your Excellency, the negotiations are not over yet, and if we reach an agreement with China in our favor with Japan in the negotiations tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, should we ...... attack?" Foreign Minister Yosuke Matsuoka raised a question at this time.

"Then stop!" Nagata Tetsuyama waved his hand impatiently and explained: "Even if the fleet receives the order now, it will not be possible to leave until tomorrow night, and it will have to go around in circles, and it will not be until October 13 at the earliest. By then, the Tehran conference should have ended, and if we can't reach an agreement that satisfies us, we will immediately go to war, and we must strike first! ”

"Then do we still have to pretend to make concessions at the meeting tomorrow and the day after tomorrow to confuse China?" Matsuoka asked again. "Of course." Konoe Fumiro said in a deep voice: "There is a huge disparity in strength between the empire and China, and a little diplomatic deception is necessary. ”

Matsuoka frowned, thought for a moment, and said in a low voice: "Your Excellency Prime Minister, what the lower official means is that we may be able to start during the negotiation process. It is better not to reach an agreement in the negotiations tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, so as not to arouse suspicion on the other side, and the lower officials can stay in Tehran to continue the negotiations with Chinese ......" (to be continued)