Chapter 30 In the Name of Freedom

On January 19, 1920, the U.S. Senate refused to ratify the Treaty of Versailles and the Covenant of the League of Nations, and vetoed membership in the League of Nations. Wilson won the Nobel Peace Prize for advocating the establishment of the League of Nations, which is a very ironic thing.

The dominance of the League of Nations fell into the hands of Britain and France, and the failure to compete for dominance was the root cause of the refusal of the US Senate to ratify the League of Nations. China, as a close country of the United States in Asia, signed the covenant of the League of Nations, and the representative who attended and signed it was French Minister Lu Zhengxiang.

At 10 a.m. the day after the US Senate refused to approve the United States' accession to the League of Nations, Fang Jianxiong, accompanied by Wilson, went to the US Capitol to give a speech. Just yesterday, these parliamentarians, who voted to deny joining the League of Nations, welcomed Fang Jianxiong's arrival with the warmest applause. From one side, it has once again verified that the bond of interests between countries is the strongest relationship. China's accession to the League of Nations did not affect the enthusiasm of the Americans for Fang Jianxiong.

Standing on the podium, Fang Jianxiong's young figure was unusually prominent, and it seemed that he was incompatible with this scene. Fang Jianxiong took a deep breath and smiled, trying to calm himself. When the warm applause stopped, the smile on Fang Jianxiong's face became more natural.

"Honorable Members of Congress, Honorable Mr. Wilson. When I was a teenager, in Shanghai, China, I came across a pastor who thought he was from the United States. Unfortunately, I was too young to know that everyone called him Father Jack. I don't even know his full name, but that doesn't stop him from teaching me deeply. During my studies with the Venerable Father Jack, I gained a first understanding of the United States, a free country. As you know, China at that time was a monarchical country, and for a child, the need for freedom was not so strong. Afterward. I went to Europe to study military affairs and advanced ideology. Gradually, I realized the value of freedom for a nation. Perhaps it was the guidance of the Czech priest in the dark, although I had never been to the United States before, but I had a natural affection for the United States.

During my studies in Europe, I came into contact with another American who had a great influence on me, and I think anyone here will know him, that is, Mr. Fisher, a financier from the United States, a specially appointed financial adviser to the Chinese government. Under his influence and introduction, my understanding of the United States has become clearer. I even had the idea of studying in the United States for a while.

Unfortunately, when it was time to make a decision, I got word from my hometown. My father died of illness, and I had to give up my plans to come to the United States. I think it was around that time that I was convinced that I would come to the United States. So, today I'm coming. I just didn't expect to have the opportunity to stand here and speak, and I would like to thank you again for this opportunity. ”

Speaking of this, Fang Jianxiong stopped and bowed, and the applause was warm again.

"China is a populous agrarian country, and this is the result of history, because China has been free from the monarch for less than a decade. In the process of overthrowing the corrupt Qing monarchs. The most powerful weapon is not a sword or gun. Paused again, accentuating: "It is the desire for free air and the relentless pursuit of freedom, precisely because of the desire for freedom." We are firm in our beliefs, and we are not afraid! We won in the end! ”

Applause rang out, and the members of Congress stood en masse. Fang Jianxiong's face was solemn, his figure was tall, and his gaze was firm.

"It's also because of freedom. I came to the U.S. to ask for help. There is the freest air in my memory, and here is the freest country in my heart. I have always believed that China needs the help of the United States. In the same way, I believe that China will give the most generous reward for the help given by the United States. Here, I would like to promise you that the capital of the free world will be unimpeded in any field in China. Anyone who dares to undermine this principle will be dealt the most severe blow by the Chinese government. ……。 ”

Fang's speech, which lasted an hour and a half, made no secret of his personal affinity to the United States at the Capitol. This has become the focus of media reports in the United States and even around the world. In today's world, where Britain is the boss, it will undoubtedly take great courage for Chinese leaders to make such a statement.

The morning speech was a great success, and in the afternoon Fang Jianxiong appeared in the presidential office of the White House. A one-on-one meeting with President Wilson began.

"Your Excellency Stationmaster Fang, the Chinese government has played an important role in the Far East, and the US government is happy to see this." Wilson's opening remarks were about the Far East, not the more pressing issue of naval limitations.

This is not too surprising to Fang, because it is a hint that China must have the support of the United States if it wants to consolidate its interests in the Far East. Conversely, the United States also needs China's ambitions to contain Japan in the Far East and increase its support for Kolchak. Kolchak returned to Russia with the support of the United States, but in the course of the ensuing civil war, he was more held back by other members of the Entente. Now that Kolchak lost the civil war, the support of the Americans became even more important.

"Mr. President, what do you want the Chinese government to do? Troops to Siberia? Fang Jianxiong smiled and turned against the general's army, and Wilson said without changing his face: "I think the actual control of the squadron in the future should be Chita, not now." ”

Fang Jianxiong's face was grim, and he shook his head very firmly: "This is impossible, the Chinese government must take back every inch of territory that Tsarist Russia took from the Qing Dynasty, or even more." This is the bottom line of the Chinese government and myself, and this will never be shaken. ”

Compared with hello, hello, hello everyone, in public, this time is the real battle of swords and guns. Fang Jianxiong's tough attitude, Wilson had long expected, and this point was not actually different from the previous judgment.

"The free world cannot give up if it wants to contain the red regime, and if the current line of control is carried out, it will be difficult for the White Russia headed by Kolchak to accept this result. Even, it may be cheaper for the Japanese as a result. It is true that Your Excellency has done a lot for the White Russian government, but it seems to me that it is not enough. Wilson continued to hold his point of view, both of whom were strong-willed men who were hard-pressed by the ideas of others. What Fang Jianxiong said in the Capitol, Wilson took at most half of what he said. It is true that Fang Jianxiong is pro-American, but in the face of national interests, anything can be conceded. If there is no such bottom line, it will not be a qualified national leader, and there will be no China that has risen rapidly after the Republic of China.

"Well, the Wehrmacht can retreat to Irkutsk, and then there will be no further step back. In addition, up to ten artillery regiments and one aviation brigade were supported by Kolchak, all of whom participated in the war as volunteers. However, this is a cost that the damned Congress will not understand. Fang Jianxiong showed a hint of annoyance and made a concession.

Wilson, who has been paying close attention to Fang Jianxiong's demeanor, did not see that this was an actor with good acting skills. This was a normal result for the squadron to return to Irkutsk and promise conditional support for Kolchak.

"I think there should be two more infantry corps, all of them fighting as volunteers. I think you should be able to do that. As for the cost, this is not a non-negotiable point. ”

"$500 million in financial aid!" Fang Jianxiong made a price after thinking for a while, and Wilson shook his head without hesitation: "It's too much, at most 200 million, otherwise those people in Congress will kill me." ”

"What are you kidding, I sent two armies to help Belarus fight, and you sue me for only 200 million? There is not enough money for ammunition! Not to mention the pension! War is to the death, and when they were in Europe, Britain and France promised that every expense would be theirs. The French government transferred a large amount of advanced technology to China and provided it, and Britain sold cheap battleships to China after the war. The two countries jointly provided China with a loan of 100 million pounds and forgave China's debts. Fang Jianxiong's eyes were red, at this time, he didn't have the gentlemanly demeanor he had before, and he had the strength to roll up his sleeves and go into battle shirtless.

After some bargaining, Wilson finally said: "Three hundred million at most, not a penny more." Fang Jianxiong said that the deal was made.

Wilson breathed a sigh of relief, it was really not easy to deal with this guy, no wonder he was able to handle the situation in China. It's strange that he is so young. It seems that the traditional education of the Chinese is far stronger than that of the West in some aspects. It is no wonder that many emperors in Chinese history ascended the throne at a very young age, but they also killed very old ministers.

Well, it's hard for an American to understand the intricacies of China's history and chemistry, even if he's the president of the United States. This is a matter of reducing the differences, and there is no need to continue discussing this issue.

"Your Excellency, world peace requires China's strength, and tragedies like the war in Europe should never happen again. Therefore, excessive military competition must be effectively curbed. In my opinion, the first thing to start with is the Navy. Wilson changed the topic and finally threw out the topic he wanted to talk about the most.

"China's military center of gravity can only be on the mainland, and I am not keen on the development of the navy. Judging from China's history and tradition, the greatest threat to China's national security can only come from the mainland, that is, from the north. On this point, I have a striking consensus with the key leaders of the Chinese government. I can responsibly guarantee that in addition to the two warships that the United States is building on its behalf, the Chinese Navy will not add another large battleship in the next ten years. Fang Jianxiong's attitude on the issue of the navy was unexpectedly good, which Wilson did not understand. That guy is obviously not a vegetarian, could it be that he still has some conspiracy hidden?