If the British Empire is the strongest empire in the world, then Germany is the second strongest.

As for the third place? This is a bit difficult to say, the United States should be regarded as the third power, or even the second power, after all, the United States is definitely stronger than any country in terms of industry. The annual crude steel output of 30 million tons also ranks first among the great powers, and even the German Empire only has more than 18 million tons of crude steel output, which is more than 10 million tons behind the United States.

But it will take time to convert these industrial forces into military power, at least not for two or three years is unlikely, plus the already "old-fashioned" Great White Fleet of the Americans ...

Therefore, the position of the third strongest is really difficult to evaluate, after all, France in this period is not as useless as it was more than 20 years later―――――― although it will be like that, it is also because of this battle.

(In 1913, the crude steel output of the great powers was 31.8 million in the United States, 18.93 million in Germany, 7.78 million in Britain, 4.68 million in France, 4.79 million in Russia, and the weakest was 380,000, which was not even a fraction of others.)

As for why 1913 was used instead of 1914, it was because of the war, the steel output of various countries has changed greatly, for example, the United States became 23.89 million tons by 1914, a decrease of almost 10 million tons, Germany is 14.94 million tons, Britain has increased a little, and France has only more than 2.8 million left, so there is no point in comparison. ）

Although Germany is the second most powerful country in the world in terms of strength, it is far inferior to other countries in terms of colonies. Not to mention such great powers as Britain and France, even the old powers such as Spain and the Netherlands, which are now weed-level countries, are stronger than Germany in terms of colonies.

Therefore, although Germany holds the second place in the world, its largest colonies and military bases in the Far East are Jiaozhou Bay and Qingdao.

It is precisely for this reason that Germany has been operating in Qingdao for many years.

It is precisely because of this that the deployment and composition of a military restricted area like Qingdao Fortress should have been a very confidential matter.

But...

Leaving aside this era and its rudimentary intelligence prevention capabilities, the military deployment of the Qingdao fortress alone has not changed for many years. Therefore, after Yan Guang spent a lot of money, the military deployment map of Qingdao Fortress had already fallen into the hands of the National Defense Force.

As early as on the way to Qingdao Fortress, as the person in charge of this operation, Cai Yi had already carefully studied the deployment of Qingdao Fortress with Jin Yunpeng and the brigade and regiment-level officers of Jin Yunpeng's department. At the same time, he also has a good understanding of the internal composition of Qingdao Fortress, so after seeing Cai Yi's gestures, those officers and soldiers of the National Defense Force will occupy those main positions so quickly.

To the actions of the Wehrmacht, Meyer? Valdike didn't react at first, but by the time he did, the Wehrmacht had already mastered some of the points, and the rest was gradually falling into the hands of the Wehrmacht. In this case, even Meyer? It's impossible for Valdike to be rude with the Wehrmacht, so in the end, Meyer? Valdike could only smile bitterly and accept his fate.

In the end, in the end, the Germans still had to rely on the strength of Chinese to avoid the fate of entering the prisoner of war camp, otherwise if they were handed over to the British and himself Chinese, they would not have achieved any good results―――――― in fact, Meyer? Valdike was right, after the Qingdao Fortress in history, although these Germans who were imprisoned in the concentration camp were not massacred, they were not treated well, and they did not even have a full stomach.

See Meyer? Valdike knew each other like this, and Cai Ye also nodded with satisfaction, after all, if there was a direct conflict, although the Wehrmacht who had already rushed into the Qingdao fortress would not be afraid of these German troops, but the exchange of fire between the two sides would still affect some things.

So in hearing Meyer? After Valdike's words, Cai Yi replied with a smile.

Seeing Meyer, who is usually always arrogant? Governor Valdike actually swallowed his anger at the offensive behavior of the Chinese at this time, Meyer? Valdike's men were also dumbfounded, knowing that as far as they knew, Meyer? Valdike's temper wasn't as good as it was now.

Especially when the Wehrmacht deployed 6 infantry divisions in Shandong, Meyer? Valdike even pointed in the direction of the Wehrmacht all day long.

And yet, now...

"These damn monkeys..."

After seeing that the surrounding commanding heights were already full of Chinese, and the German soldiers belonging to their side had all been squeezed down by these Chinese, one stood Meyer? The German officer behind Valdike cursed in a low voice in German.

Although I scolded like this, but...

People are under the eaves and have to bow their heads.

This wise saying in China may be used in Europe in a different way, but the meaning is the same, so in the end, looking at the muzzles of those guns that seem to be aimed at themselves but do not seem to be, these Germans can only face reality.

"Speaking of which, these Chinese monkeys are still using Mauser G98 rifles..."

Looking at the rifles that even the Germans had not fully assembled, the other officer also smiled wryly.

While such a group of Germans was smiling wryly there, a group of Wehrmacht soldiers had already climbed to the highest point of the Qingdao fortress.

There, a flagpole was erected, and above the flagpole was a German flag, indicating that it was under the jurisdiction of the German Reich......... Colony...

However, at this moment, the Wehrmacht soldiers lowered the German flag and replaced it with a Chinese flag...

"Salute!"

Looking at the gradually rising Chinese national flag, Cai Ye took the lead, and then the more than 8,000 national defense officers and soldiers who had poured into the Qingdao fortress, including those who were carrying out the "vigilance" task on the commanding heights, almost all saluted the national flag.

At this time, against the almost defenseless Wehrmacht, as long as Meyer? Valdike gave an order, and he was sure of retaking the Qingdao fortress. In fact, those German [***] officers who were not concerned about the capture of Qingdao Fortress by the Wehrmacht in this way also signaled Meyer with their eyes? Valdike's.

For the Germans, it is not impossible to return the Qingdao fortress to the Chinese, after all, they are also clear about the current situation.

But...

They absolutely cannot accept that the Chinese use this means to receive the Qingdao Fortress, and it is difficult for them to understand why these Chinese are not willing to wait a little and wait until the handover ceremony to receive the Qingdao Fortress peacefully?

Quite a few officers are even ready and waiting for Meyer? As soon as Valdike gave the order, they recaptured the fortress. Of course, after taking it back, they will still return the fortress, but in this way, their status in the Chinese will definitely be improved―――――― at least they will no longer be a lone army abandoned by the motherland...

However to the color of the subordinate Meyer? But Valdike just didn't see it, they were going to send someone to the fence in the future, and it was not unwise to offend the owner at this time...

Everything that happened between the Germans naturally fell into Cai Ye's eyes, but Cai Ye only smiled slightly and said nothing.

After about ten seconds, the flag was finally raised to the top.

Looking at this Chinese flag fluttering in the sea breeze, both Cai Yi and Jin Yunpeng and others sighed in their hearts.

After so many years, they finally reclaimed the first piece of land...

Moreover, this is only the beginning, in the near future, they will have to reclaim all the land they lost in the first place. Whether it's the British, the French, the Portuguese, or the ......... The Russians...

――――――――――

If the war between the Allies and the Allies was the front-page headline of July 28, then the return of Jiaozhou Bay and the fortresses of Qingdao was the biggest news on July 29.

Before this day, no one thought that Jiaozhou Bay and Qingdao Fortress would actually return to the hands of the Chinese in such a way.

By the end of July 30, a large group of Chinese and foreign reporters had almost flocked to the periphery of the Qingdao Fortress, taking pictures of the Chinese garrison on the Qingdao Fortress and the fluttering Chinese flag.

In this regard, Cai Ye and Jin Yunpeng, who had already settled in the Qingdao Fortress, did not give an order to stop it.

So by the second day, almost all the photos on the front page of the newspaper were Qingdao Fortress with the Chinese flag flying.

The world was shocked and the people were excited about the return of Jiaozhou Bay and Qingdao, but the British and the people were extremely angry......... In addition to the annoyance, there is also a little bit of embarrassment.

Naturally, there is no need to mention that Ben would be annoyed, after all, Yan Guang's hand can almost be called a tiger's mouth, and even with the performance of Yue Zhiyi in front of Yan Guang, it is no different from a clown.

And the irritation of the British?

In the eyes of the British, it is okay for China to take back Jiaozhou Bay and Qingdao, and the British do not want to see their own power continue to expand anyway.

The big question is Meyer? The Germans of the Valdike who, for the British, took in and sheltered Meyer? The Germans of the Valdike were the greatest offense to the British Empire.

And...

You must know that in order to allow him to participate in the European war, the Entente gave the German islands in the Pacific, along with Jiaozhou Bay and Qingdao Fortress.

Now that the Qingdao fortress has returned to the hands of the Chinese, all that can be given to Yu himself are those small islands in the Pacific Ocean, which are no different from chicken ribs, how can the British not be embarrassed at this point?

Fortunately, the British also explained at the beginning that the land in Jiaozhou Bay needed to be done by themselves, so the British did not have no reason to shirk.

In fact, when the news of Jiaozhou Bay's return to China came out, the ambassador to the United Kingdom had already found the British Prime Minister―――――― not to mention Zhiyi and Zhu Erdian, yes, in Asia, or in the Far East, these two people can indeed be called the leading figures, especially in China, during the Yuan Shikai period, Zhu Erdian, the British minister and the minister of Yuanben, were simply people that Yuan Shikai could not provoke, but you also have to look at the level.

People like Zhu Erdian and Zhiyi, in this remote place in the Far East, are considered to be the emperor of the earth, but at the level of the whole century, it is not very important.

Therefore, the issue of Jiaozhou Bay needs to be discussed by the British Prime Minister and the British ambassador to the UK.

"Mr. Ambassador..."

Although in terms of national strength, there is a big difference between the national strength of the British and the United Kingdom, but because the British people now need the strength of the British very much, the British Prime Minister Herbert is quite polite.

However, Herbert was polite, but Ambassador Ben did not dare to be polite.

You must know that Britain is now the world's largest power, and when Britain took the initiative to approach the country and asked to form an alliance with the country, the whole country even felt flattered.

So seeing Herbert so polite, Ambassador Ben hurriedly said in a more polite manner.

"Mr. Prime Minister, I believe you know what I am here for..."

Herbert nodded, there is no need to play stupid in this matter, and there is no need to play stupid.

Because he promised Jiaozhou Bay to Yueben at the beginning, it was he who was the one who got Yueben's support.

Seeing that Herbert did not avoid this question, Abe Qingtong was happy in his heart.

"After learning that my country has decided to support your country, your country is very generous to send Jiaozhou Bay and Qingdao Fortress to the country..."

Abe Qingtong was very smart and did not say that it was the British who promised Jiaozhou Bay to Yue Ben in order to obtain his support. If so, with the inherent good-faced surname of the British, Herbert will be displeased, which is why Abe Keitong will say so.

In this case, the benefits will definitely not be brought, but it can increase Herbert's favorability.

In fact, after listening to Abe Qingtong say this, Herbert's favor towards him has indeed improved a lot.

Although Herbert and his predecessors did fall in love with the powerful Navy, and there were hundreds of thousands of cannon fodder, if they just told the facts directly, the British would definitely not look good, and now that Abe Qingtong is so acquainted, Herbert did not express his position on the surface, but there was already a smile on the corner of his mouth.

Seeing that smile, Abe Qingtong was even happier in his heart, but he was still very respectful on the surface.

"However, now Jiaozhou Bay has been returned to the Chinese by the Germans, we all know that Jiaozhou Bay was the leased land that the Chinese lost to the Germans, and now it is very reasonable for the Germans to return this leased land to the Chinese, but if it is so calculated, the only thing that China can harvest in the end is those small islands in the Pacific Ocean that the Germans can harvest...

We are a small country, not a country that can compete with the British Empire and the French Republic, and it is naturally an honor for us to participate in this war and contribute to your country and the Entente countries, but the national strength of the country is weak, and the cost of the war is so great..."

There is no need for Abe to continue, Herbert already knows what he is saying.

That's right, he did agree to participate in the European war, in fact, after the outbreak of the European war, he had already begun a national mobilization, and the current total mobilization is 600,000...

600,000 troops were mobilized, and all the capital ships of Ben could go to Europe to participate in the war, but in the end there were only so many small islands? This deal is also too...

As for the country's weakness or something, it's just a face-to-face statement, which shows that the current harvest is too inconsistent with their efforts...

So what does it match? Of course, the whole land of Jiaozhou Bay, as well as all the rights and interests of the Germans in Shandong...

It's just a problem here.

That is, when the Entente divided its interests among themselves, although Britain, France and other countries agreed to allocate Jiaozhou Bay to Yueben, but the premise was that he could capture and defend it at the same time.

The key lies in this word.

Yes, Britain and France did agree to their own ambitions for Jiaozhou Bay, but they only agreed to launch an attack on the German Jiaozhou Bay, and at the same time, after capturing Jiaozhou Bay, they would hold the possible subsequent offensive of the Chinese. But he did not allow himself to launch an attack on the Chinese Jiaozhou Bay...

There is still a big difference between the two.

Therefore, Abe Qingtong came this time for only one purpose, that is, to seek an offensive right to Qingdao, China...

Of course, Herbert knew Abe's intentions, and although Abe's humble attitude just now made Herbert very comfortable, he was not lost.

On the contrary, after listening to Abe Qingtong's words, Herbert closed his eyes and thought carefully about the gains and losses...

But Herbert's reflection on the matter didn't last long, he had already opened his eyes.

Herbert, or the British, were not unwary of himself, even if he was not a British rival at this time―――――― the latter was simply a behemoth to the former.

But after this war, the contraction of British power was certain, and in fact the decline of British power had been going on for a long time, which Herbert and the other people in power were well aware of, so Herbert would be glad to see the emergence of a country in the Far East that could be a counterweight to the Great-East country.

The premise is that the country must not be associated with Germany.

And now, China not only has friendly relations with Germany, but also shelters thousands of Germans, which Herbert absolutely cannot tolerate.

Merely...

"Ugh..."

Although the war only started for two days, the battle on the battlefield was already quite fierce, after all, this is a war that the two sides have been preparing for decades and can change the entire world pattern, so at this time, Herbert could not draw enough troops to teach China a lesson―――――― not to mention that it was not so easy even before the war.

But if you want to teach China a lesson, it's not like there's no other way...

Thinking of this, Herbert glanced at Abe Keitong...

"In fact, the Chinese sheltered the Germans, which in itself is also a reason..."

Although Herbert's words did not say more, just this one sentence was enough...

Because of this sentence, for me, it is like a license...

A license to declare war on China, although, limited to the Shandong Peninsula ...

(To be continued)