"Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince, you should be clear that there is no such thing as a free lunch in the world. The reason why the German Empire went all out to help the Chinese Empire was to support a strong ally for us in the East. And now, the choice of the Chinese Empire has disappointed us very much. Therefore, it is unlikely that the Chinese Empire will want to receive financial and technical help from Germany from now on. Prime Minister Bilow said. Although, he is still smiling. But the coldness in the words can be felt by everyone.

"Your Excellency, the German Empire is very grateful for the help of the Chinese Empire. However, the achievements of the Chinese Empire today are of course due to the help of Germany and our own efforts. If the German Reich chooses to stop helping us, then we have nothing to say. We will begin to repay those loans that the Chinese Empire owes to Germany when they are due. The smile on Wu Haoxuan's face disappeared cleanly.

The atmosphere of the conversation suddenly became solemn. Even if Germany stopped supporting the Chinese Empire, how much impact would it have on the Chinese Empire? Over the years, the Chinese Empire had received a great deal of financial and technical support from Germany. Although these technologies have not yet been fully digested, the achievements of the Chinese Empire have already attracted worldwide attention. In the future, even if it is relying on its own strength. The Chinese Empire will also grow stronger and stronger. At most, it takes a little more time.

On the other hand, if Germany tears its face with the Chinese Empire, it will not do Germany any good. This means that all of Germany's previous efforts have been in vain. In addition, the contradictions with the Chinese Empire would greatly affect the preparations for war in the German Empire. Many of the non-ferrous metals that Germany urgently needed were now imported from the Chinese Empire. Although Germany has abundant coal resources, other resources are relatively scarce. Even the iron ore is mainly produced from the two provinces of Alsace and Lorraine, which were looted by the French.

Arguably. If the Chinese Empire and Germany tore their faces, it would almost be a lose-lose outcome. For both countries, it is very disadvantageous. Of course, if the Germans are not satisfied with the status quo, there is no way to do it.

Seeing that the talks between the two sides were about to collapse, Tang Shaoyi, the Imperial Foreign Minister, said: "Your Excellency, Prime Minister. Your Excellency Chief of Staff. In fact, the fact that the Chinese Empire does not take a position on the status quo also has our own bitterness. Britain, France, and the United States vigorously supported Japan in the Far East, which had a great impact on the security of the Chinese Empire. If we turn to the Allies, then war between us and Japan will break out immediately. In that case, we will have very little help for Germany. Other than that. The Chinese Empire was also under siege by the Entente's sphere of influence. It would not be in the interest of us to supply Germany with all the supplies it needed. If the Chinese Empire did not join the Allies, remain neutral. Then, in the name of a neutral country, we can continue to ask Germany to provide all the materials it needs, so that the German war machine can continue to operate. ”

Prime Minister Bilow and Chief of Staff Moltke Jr. both frowned, they were thinking about the meaning of Tang Shaoyi's words.

"Indeed, if the Chinese Empire remained neutral. Then we can justifiably provide Germany with all kinds of war materials, from weapons and ammunition to all kinds of minerals. Even grain. But if we join the Allies, the Chinese Empire will be plunged into war at the first opportunity. In addition, our trade routes to Germany by land and sea will be completely cut off. Wu Haoxuan also said.

The reason why he was so tough before was to let the Germans know his attitude. After Tang Shaoyi played the round, he also happened to give him a step down. so that the negotiations could continue. After all, if he severed contact with the Germans now, Wu Haoxuan was still a little reluctant. Germany still has a lot of technology that he needs to get his hands on in the last years of the war.

"The Chinese Empire joins the Central Powers. We have a good chance of winning. Even if the Entente blockade the Chinese Empire, it doesn't matter. Prime Minister Bilow said. He is not so easy to bluff, he will believe Wu Haoxuan and others if they say a few words.

"No, Your Excellency Prime Minister. Don't forget, the great powers of the world, in addition to the Chinese Empire, there are other great powers. The country on the other side of the ocean also did not express its position. If the Chinese Empire were to join the Allies, what choice would they make? Wu Haoxuan said.

"Is Your Highness talking about the United States? The United States wants to intervene in the war in Europe across the Atlantic, and I am afraid that it will not be able to reach it! Moltke said.

"It is true that the Atlantic Ocean is wide. But will this be able to withstand the United States? Don't forget, the strength of the U.S. Navy is second only to that of Britain and Germany. Once the British and American navies joined forces, the German navy had almost no chance of winning. The industrial strength of the United States is even stronger than that of Germany. Their population is also more than 90 million, nearly 100 million. When such a country joins the war, it can almost influence the tide of the war. The Americans are now joining forces with the British and the French to contain us. The existence of the Chinese Empire is a great constraint on the United States. If we join the Allies, then, according to the American code of conduct, it is quite possible that we will join the Entente. At that time, the chances of us winning will be very low. Wu Haoxuan continued.

Prime Minister Bilow and Moltke Jr. both looked solemn, in Germany's previous strategy, they had never thought about what the consequences would be if the United States joined the Entente. What is certain, however, is that it is clear that Germany and the Allies will not win. With great strength alone, the United States and the Entente were able to crush Germany and the German-led Allies.

"The Chinese empire was in the Pacific Ocean and posed a serious threat to the interests of the United States. So, the Americans have also been suppressing us. Similarly, the Chinese empire is holding the United States in check. If the Chinese Empire were to join the Allies, it would be very likely that the United States would join the Entente. Wu Haoxuan said solemnly.

Prime Minister Bilow and Moltke Jr. couldn't help but nod, they also believed in this possibility.

"So, what does Your Highness mean?" Prime Minister Bilow asked.

"I hope that the Chinese Empire and the German Empire will continue to maintain a close and cooperative relationship. In fact, our cooperation can be further deepened. However, our two countries will not sign any treaty of association. In other words, we can count as de facto allies, but not true alliances. In this way, it will be easier for us to cooperate with each other and learn from each other's strengths. Wu Haoxuan continued.

"The Chinese Empire can supply Germany with tungsten ore, tin ore, antimony ore, copper ore, and so on. Even oil and food can be provided to you. Even if war broke out, as long as the situation was not tense, the Chinese Empire would not interrupt its support for Germany. ”

"Oil and grain? At this point, the Chinese Empire itself seems to be insufficient, right? Moltke asked.

"It's true that all the oil we consume now is imported from the United States. However, we have already discovered a super oil field in the country. Mining is expected to begin at the end of next year. The reserves of this oil field exceed one billion tons. Not only can it meet China's needs, but it can also fully support Germany's needs. As for grain, the northeastern and Siberian regions of our country have also begun to produce grain after development. Food self-sufficiency is not a problem. In addition, there was a surplus of grain that could be exported to Germany. Wu Haoxuan said.

Moltke nodded: "These Chinese are really lucky, why are there no large oil fields with reserves of more than one billion tons on the territory of the German Empire?" ”

German geologists have explored in detail, and there are no oil fields in Germany at all. Or that there are no oil fields that can be exploited. Even if there are some small oil fields, there is no value in exploiting them. As a result, the oil shortage has become a shortcoming for Germany. Therefore, German warships generally had coal-fired boilers or oil-coal mixed boilers. This made the endurance of German warships generally not very high. However, the warships of the German Navy operated only in the North Sea and the Eastern Atlantic, which was barely enough. If you are going to go on an expedition, it will undoubtedly not work.

In addition, the Chinese Empire could also contain some of the Allied forces for Germany. As long as we deploy troops in Siberia or Central Asia, will Russia still throw a large number of troops into an attack on Germany? In the same way, if warships of the Chinese Navy appeared in the waters near the colonies of Britain and France, would they dare not strengthen the defense of the colonies? In this case, it will also be beneficial for Germany to defeat them! Marshal Cheng Biguang also said.

Moltke's eyes lit up. If the Chinese Empire adopts this method, it is not as good as the Chinese Empire directly joining the Allies in the war, but it can also be of great help to the German Empire.

Prime Minister Bilow was far more rational than Moltke Jr., and he knew that the Chinese Empire could not have made so many proposals without a plan.

"So, Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince, what does the Chinese Empire want from Germany?" Prime Minister Bilow asked. There is no such thing as a free lunch, just as Germany is fully supporting China in order to use China as a pawn. China's all-out efforts to help Germany are also aimed at reaping benefits from Germany. Between countries, it was originally for tangible benefits. Otherwise, the Chinese Empire would not have made such a great effort.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, the Chinese Empire hopes to further deepen cooperation with the German Empire on the existing basis." Wu Haoxuan said with a smile. (To be continued.) )

PS: The second update arrives, asking for subscriptions, monthly passes and recommended tickets!