In Berlin in February, the sky is a little overcast, and the leaves of the linden trees on the avenue under the linden trees have fallen at the most, leaving only the staggered forks of the trees to reflect a few claw shadows in the morning sun, and the shadows of the trees disappear after the occasional cloud obscures the sky.

Although the sky was a little hazy and the air was a little chilly, there were still pedestrians walking on the sidewalk on the road under the linden tree, and when the tinkling tram stopped, people kept going up and down.

On the street under the Linden tree, two Chinese-made Pegasus cars are speeding away, and the leading Pegasus luxury car has a small flag fluttering on its headlights: the national flag of the Chinese Empire.

In the wide back seat of the car, Yang Sheng sat quietly, his expression was serious, he sat silently and motionlessly, he was wearing a gray woolen coat, a dark gray hat with a hard brim almost rolled up, and his eyes were staring ahead without blinking.

His hands rested on his laps, on brown leather briefcases to be exact, and beside him sat two stern-looking young men in civilian clothes who could see a bit of military style, and they squeezed him in the middle.

In this way, the car drove silently down the street, and after driving through Unter den Linden, it turned into another road and drove in the direction of the suburbs.

Today is a special day.

Yang Sheng thought in his heart that just yesterday, with full authorization, he submitted the "Sino-German Alliance Treaty (Draft)" to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the German Reich for the first time, and at the same time put forward a request for an alliance with Germany.

The draft and the request were submitted in the morning, and at 4:15 p.m., Yang Sheng received an official reply from the Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and tomorrow, that is, today, the representatives of China and Germany will hold formal talks in a palace belonging to the Kaiser outside Berlin.

This will undoubtedly make history!

Yang Sheng understood that the "Sino-German Alliance Treaty (Draft)" rewritten on the basis of telegrams sent from China would create a history for China, and once the treaty was signed and approved by the parliaments of the two countries, then China would form an alliance with the world's first-class power for the first time, and this alliance would be all-encompassing and involve a wider range of obligations than any alliance treaty in history.

Yang Sheng knew that they were on guard with guns in their hands, ready to "fight" at any time, and in the rear car, there were three marines holding submachine guns, so they were on guard to avoid any possible accidents.

At the very least, this alliance treaty must be kept secret until the two countries sign it.

"Let's hope they didn't notice it!"

Yang Sheng pondered in his heart, and at the same time pondered whether the Berlin diplomatic community had recently perceived the clues of this information, as if neither Britain nor the United States, France, and Russia realized that China and Germany had formed an alliance accurately.

Finally, when the hour hand pointed to 9 o'clock, the car drove into a royal manor, and in front of the palace in the center of the manor, German Foreign Minister Yagoff was waiting for Yang Sheng with a smile on his face.

"Today, we will make history, Mr. Special Envoy!"

After Yang Sheng got out of the car, Yagov looked at him and said meaningfully, now in front of him is not only the ambassador of the Chinese Empire to Germany, but also the special envoy of His Majesty the Emperor of the Chinese Empire.

"It will create a new historical ...... belonging to the German Empire and the Chinese Empire"

"Yes, Your Excellency the Foreign Secretary, today we will make history!"

Yang Sheng nodded in agreement and said that everything today is creating history, this is the first thing Yang Sheng said after they walked into this palace belonging to the emperor, and it was also the first thing he said after leaving the embassy.

A few minutes later, in the conference room of the palace, the representatives of the two sides participating in the talks sat on either side of the long table, compared to the more than ten representatives of the German side, Yang Sheng only brought two attachés, but for him, this was enough, and the domestic telegram had already listed in detail where China's bottom line was.

The telegram will be deciphered, Yang Sheng is not worried, whether it is the alliance treaty or the bottom line of the negotiation, it is the number one temporary password that is activated, the codebook is new and has never been used, it will only be activated in this special event, and new passwords will continue to be used in the future. ,

Even if they had been deciphered, without the one-time codebook sealed in the steel safe, all they saw was a four-legged code, and the translation was only a set of numbers.

"Now that we're going to have a historic treaty, both of us have benefited. What do you think, Mr. Special Envoy, that cooperation between Germany and China will bring benefits to our country and its people in the future? ”

The traditional diplomatic politeness spat out from Yagov's mouth, and Yang Sheng nodded.

"I don't think there is anything more in the interests of China and Germany and their nationals than this treaty of alliance!"

So Yagov smiled again, looking at the Chinese ambassador to Germany in front of him, the Chinese need this treaty, the same Germany also needs this treaty, even if both sides need it, then there is no problem in signing it, and now, what the two want to talk about next is probably the obligations and responsibilities of both sides in the treaty.

"I believe,"

As he spoke, Yagov lit a cigar, knowing that the ambassador in front of him did not smoke cigars, he only smoked paper cigarettes.

When Ya Gefu was about to say something, Yang Sheng raised his eyebrows slightly, as if he wanted to hear what he was going to say next.

"Once this alliance treaty is signed, no country in this world will dare to underestimate China!"

Then Yagov deliberately emphasized.

"I'm convinced of that!"

"Your Excellency the Foreign Secretary, I have no doubt about this either!"

Nodding his head, Yang Sheng continued in agreement.

"I believe that when the world knows that Germany has China as an ally, the whole world will understand that Germany will get out of the dilemma of being caught between the east and the west!"

As a diplomat, Yang Sheng knew that if Yagov put up this kind of "favor" at this time, and he acquiesced, China would definitely lose a lot in the following negotiations.

Yang Sheng's words gently pushed back the "favor" revealed in Yagoff's words, in this alliance treaty, there is no favor from anyone to whom, there are only common obligations and responsibilities.

"Of course!"

Yagov just laughed, his previous words were just to gain an advantage in the negotiations. And now that the two have reached a draw, then in this case, there is no need to dwell on this issue at all, so I opened the German translation of the "Sino-German Alliance Treaty (Draft)".

"Whereas the Emperor of the German Empire, His Majesty the King of Prussia, and His Majesty the Emperor of the Chinese Empire must consider it an indispensable duty of their sovereigns to secure the security of their empire and the tranquility of their subjects under all circumstances; Whereas, the two empires are closely united, and this duty is carried out more easily and effectively; Finally, given that the close cooperation between Germany and China does not threaten any country and, moreover, is aimed at consolidating peace in Europe and Asia.

His Majesty the Emperor of the German Empire and His Majesty the Emperor of the Chinese Empire, solemnly undertaking to each other not to allow a purely defensive agreement between them to develop a tendency towards aggression on any front, decided to conclude an alliance treaty of peace and mutual defense! ”

When Yagov read out the beginning of the treaty of alliance, Yang Sheng also looked at the Chinese version, which, unlike the German version, was dominated by the Chinese Empire in the Chinese version, which is an international treaty practice.

"The German Reich has no objection to this!"

After reading it, Yagov looked at Yang Sheng and asked.

"Do you have any objections?"

"Nope."

Of course, there will be no objections, this is a draft written by China, how can there be any objections, not to mention, this is just an introduction to the treaty, and the real negotiations are later.

Yang Sheng then spoke, where he read the appointment of plenipotentiaries from both countries. process, it's just a necessary process.

"First, if one of the two Empires is attacked by Great Britain against their wishes, and contrary to their wishes, and contrary to the loyal wishes of the Parties, the two Contracting Parties shall be obliged to render mutual assistance with all the military forces of the Empire, and therefore only by mutual agreement may they conclude a peace treaty together."

After reading this, Yagov spoke to the Lord.

"For practical reasons, we hope that this article will be changed against Britain to the Russian Empire!"

For Germany, this was in the most immediate interest, and if this secret treaty were to be leaked, it would be enough to make Britain more wary of Germany, which Germany was now unwilling to face. And more importantly, Germany signed this treaty because it wanted to use China to contain Russia, not Britain. ,

"Your Excellency Plenipotentiary, in view of the real threat to the Chinese Empire, we hope that both Britain and Russia will be included in direct terms, rather than broad terms!"

Yang Sheng did not hesitate to refuse, and at the same time expressed his attitude, to be precise, China's attitude, the direct clause is completely different from the binding of the broad clause, Japan was played by the British, that is, to play on that broad clause, and the country does not want to repeat the mistakes of Japan.

"This ......"

Hesitating, Yagov fell silent.

In the case of Britain, it is precisely the responsibility that Germany is not willing to bear, at least not at present.

"Plenipotentiary Your Excellency, if the UK Terms are written, we can assume a wider range of responsibilities and obligations! Of course, this is on the premise that Germany needs it! ”

In the face of Yang Sheng's insistence, Yagov moved his shoulders very dissatisfied, extinguished the cigar with a rapid movement, and pressed the cigarette butt into the bottom of the crystal glass ashtray.

"Okay!"

Yagov nodded and said.

"I think we can enter this clause for the time being, and go directly to the next clause!"

Yang Sheng, who knew that Yagov had no right to make decisions about this, did not insist, but directly read the second article in German.

"Article 2: In the event that one of the High Contracting Parties is attacked by another State, the other High Contracting Party undertakes not only not to support the aggressor against its allies, but also to at least adopt a neutral attitude of good faith on that Contracting State.

If, however, the attacking State is supported by Great Britain, whether such support is active cooperation or a military measure which advances a threat to the attacked State, the obligation to render mutual assistance with all the fighting forces set forth in Article 1 of this Treaty shall also take effect, and in such a case the High Contracting Parties shall fight together until a joint treaty is concluded. ”

"I think,"

After Yang Sheng finished reading this, Yagov said,

"If we exclude for the time being the designated countries, this is acceptable to the German Reich."

"Of course!"

Yang Sheng did not object, this is only a broad clause, and some of the basis in the broad clause is based on the first clause, even if Yagov needs to ask for instructions, naturally there is no need to insist.

"Article 3, in accordance with the spirit of mutual assistance between the German Empire and the Chinese Empire, the German Empire shall provide the Chinese Empire with comprehensive technical assistance to help the Chinese Empire to achieve the full industrialization of the country in a short period of time, and in return the Chinese Empire shall pay the German Empire currency or in exchange for minerals and agricultural products."

After reading this clause, Yagov spoke.

"Comprehensive technical assistance, according to the content of the terms, we will transfer to your country a number of technology transfers, including technical standards, machinery and equipment patents, metallurgical technology, military equipment technology, etc., which involves the interests of too many German companies, so we believe that this should be based on commercial cooperation, and the German government is willing to cooperate with the Chinese government's procurement!"

"We want to be able to include this in the treaty!"

When answering the question, Yang Sheng's face still maintained a smile, this article, the bottom line given by the country is very clear, and it must be guaranteed by the treaty, Yang Sheng vaguely guessed that perhaps for His Majesty, he should value this clause the most, even more than the first article.

For a backward country like China, what he needs more is rapid industrialization and the introduction of foreign technology in the process.

"We believe that after the conclusion of the treaty, our country will bring in German experts to help us draw up a comprehensive national development plan, and in this process we will have the full cooperation of the German Reich, because we will then open all of our country to you!"

The last sentence specially emphasized, Yang Sheng continued.

"We hope that your country will send the best technicians to guide our production, including the production of the military industry, and at the same time, our army and naval bases will also be open to military experts sent by your country, and your country will be responsible for guiding us to build a more modern and regular army, and at the same time, our military schools will also need your country to send more military instructors, and the army and navy will also need a large number of consultants, in short"

Emphasizing, Yang Sheng looked at the surprised Yagfu and said.

"We will completely open everything to our allies, and this must be consolidated in the form of a treaty, I think, which is a normal request! And ......",

While Yagov was still surprised by the Chinese's "openness" to Germany, Yang Sheng continued to throw out the bait that had already been prepared.

"A strong China is in line with Germany's interests, the stronger China is, the more likely it is to become Germany's most powerful helper in the future war, China is too far away from Germany, which makes it impossible for us to import machinery, imported steel, and imported weapons from Germany during the war, so we need Germany to transfer these technologies to China, only in this way can we truly become a powerful ally of your country, not an ally that drags behind."

"Of course, Germany thinks"

Yagov, who had slowly calmed down, continued slowly, making every word clear,

"Your Excellency the Plenipotentiary is indeed very legitimate, but given that there are too many commercial interests involved, we must be cautious, but Germany is not opposed to the fullest military cooperation between Germany and China......"

Yagov was still not in a position to answer directly, because it involved not only the state, but also many German companies, which were private companies, and the German government could not make decisions for them.

"Of course, all our actions will take into account your country's commercial interests, in return, our country can guarantee that more than 70% of the foreign machinery and equipment orders will be handed over to your country, and at the same time, in the process of patent transfer, fully take care of the interests of your country's enterprises, and all we need is your government to give assistance within the framework of the treaty!"

Half of his eyelids were closed, and he sat upright, and Yagov continued.

"It's a very complicated issue......"

Then he paused, suddenly rushed his body out of the sun, and continued, but now his tone had become stronger.

"You have to understand that German technology is in the hands of the private sector, and for Germany, we are interested not in words or words, but in action."

Then he continued, louder and more resolute,

"Of course we will help your country, and of course this must be based on the willingness of German companies to transfer and to facilitate these transactions, but if those companies do not, then this clause will become a dead letter, and we hope that your country will understand!"

Yagov quickly and clearly enumerated his reasons, as if he was unwilling to give Yang Sheng time to consider a reply.

Then there was a pause, and Yang Sheng shook his head and said after a moment of silence.

"We insist that this clause must be included in the treaty, and we believe that it is in the interests of the German Empire, as well as in the interests of the Chinese Empire!"

"In that case, it would be difficult for us to agree on this clause today!"

Yagov replied truthfully.

Yang Sheng nodded.

"It's okay, we have time!"

(The wordless new book has been released for 18 days, and the update has reached nearly 130,000 words, and this update speed can't be compared with even small citizens!) There's no way, there are too many manuscripts, I'm in a panic, hehe, the title of the new book: New Era 1912, welcome to come, thank you! ）