Xiao Zhenlei walked slowly in the garden with a cigarette between his fingers, thinking about European things in his mind, although Austria-Hungary has surrendered, but it is not possible to deal with the affairs of Austria-Hungary in a day or two, at present, except for the promise of the Duchy of Austria, the Duchy of Carinthia, the Duchy of Salzburg, the Duchy of Styria and the Tyrolean region, other kingdoms, duchies and regions of the Austro-Hungarian Empire have been controlled by the Chinese army.

After all, if China is silent, once Karl I makes an announcement, things may be chaotic, and then the wave of autonomy of all ethnic groups in Austria-Hungary will be uncontrollable like wildfire, and Austria-Hungary may completely disintegrate, and Karl I, the emperor, may also lose all rights and status, and may even lose the honorific title of emperor. Karl I was not so stupid.

After the Chinese army entered the Austrian-controlled area, according to the requirements of the Chinese side, Karl I retained a part of the elite army to protect the security of the homeland, and these troops all used sophisticated weapons and equipment, and had enough ammunition, but most of the army was disbanded.

In other kingdoms, principalities and regions controlled by the Chinese army, the ethnic forces in these areas have recently sent representatives to meet with the local Chinese army generals and ask for their support to form a provisional government, and even some ethnic forces in Austria, Carinthia and other principalities have secretly come to the door, but now no instructions have been issued in China, and the Chinese army generals have ignored them, but the news of their arrival has been spread to China, and Xiao Zhenlei has also heard relevant reports.

Xiao Zhenlei considered that he could send people to contact the ethnic forces in various regions of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and if the other party was willing to be obedient and willing to pay some benefits, he could support them to form their own regime. In any case, it is impossible for the Chinese army to be stationed in the Austro-Hungarian region forever, and it is impossible to turn those areas into their own territory, and sooner or later there will be a political power, and it is better to support the forces that are willing to be obedient and willing to pay some benefits to establish political power, so as to establish and maintain the influence of the Chinese state in Europe.

"Great President. The humble post came to report, and asked the president to instruct," Yang Yongtai's voice came from behind.

Xiao Zhenlei stopped, turned his head and beckoned to Yang Yongtai, and said to Yang Yongtai who followed as he continued to walk forward: "In two days, a meeting will be held with representatives of various countries to discuss how to deal with the Austro-Hungarian Empire, I want you to talk to them as my representative, what do you think?" ”

Yang Yongtai knew that Xiao Zhenlei was giving him a chance, and he was overjoyed, but he didn't dare to show it on his face, so he immediately bowed his head and said, "Thank you for the promotion." The humble post will definitely live up to the expectations of the president! I wonder what the President has to explain to the President about how to deal with the affairs of Austria-Hungary in consultation with the representatives of various countries? ”

Xiao Zhenlei took a puff of cigarette and said: "Regarding this matter, I have discussed with other high-level officials, and also reached some secret agreements with the representatives sent by the Austro-Hungarian side, what we mean is to allow Karl I to continue to rule the Duchy of Austria, the Duchy of Carinthia, the Duchy of Salzburg, the Duchy of Styria and the Tyrolean region on the basis of maintaining the fourteen-point principle proposed by Wilson, and Karl I changed the title of Emperor of Austria-Hungary to King of the Kingdom of Austria. The various national powers of the other kingdoms and principalities were allowed to carry out the formation of self-government, and if they wished to join the Kingdom of Austria, let them join. If they do not wish to join, they can completely break away from the Kingdom of Austria and become an independent sovereign state."

Yang Yongtai thought for a while and asked: "Will the Habsburg dynasty that supported Karl I continue to rule the Duchy of Austria, Carinthia, Salzburg, Styria, and Tyrol?" After all, Wilson's tenth principle was to allow the autonomy of ??????the peoples of the Austro-Hungarian Empire."

Xiao Zhenlei waved his hand: "If he is allowed to put forward these principles, won't we be allowed to put forward some opinions?" If it is exactly what the Americans want, then wouldn't it be useless for us people to speak? Will they all have to listen to the Americans in the future? ”

"This ?????? It's a gaffe! The humble post will definitely complete the task assigned by the president! Yang Yongtai immediately expressed his position.

"Well, don't be too domineering when talking to foreigners. However, we must not lose the momentum of our country, we must be tough when we should be tough, we must not back down when we should fight on the basis of reason, and we must not give an inch when it comes to the interests of our country! There you go! ”

"Yes, President!"

December 5th. Envoys of various countries held a meeting in Shanghai to discuss how to deal with the affairs of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and although this matter was not publicized by the relevant parties, the envoys of various countries gathered here to make a lot of noise, and many newspapers got the news and sent reporters to interview the representatives of the envoys of various countries participating in the meeting.

British Minister Zhu Erdian had just arrived at the door of the hotel and was stopped by reporters before entering the door, and some reporters quickly asked some questions, Zhu Erdian was so annoyed that he finally ran out of the hotel, and several conference security personnel isolated these reporters so that Zhu Erdian could enter the hotel smoothly, and then the security personnel set up a cordon at the door to prevent reporters from affecting the entry of envoys and representatives of various countries.

The envoys and representatives of various countries quickly arrived at the meeting hall one by one, and some time before the meeting began, Yang Yongtai invited American Minister Tom to his room for a chat.

"Mr. Tom, I heard that you arrived here a few days ago, I wonder if you are used to living here?"

Tom smiled: "Yes, the service in this hotel is not bad!" Mr. Yang, what did you say about coming to me? ”

Yang Yongtai also smiled: "Mr. Tom is very smart, he understands what I mean so quickly." Now that Mr. Tom has said it, I'll get straight to the point! I wonder what Mr. Tom thinks of this Austro-Hungarian affair to be handled? ”

Tom immediately said: "Of course, it is necessary to follow the fourteen-point principle proposed by our President, Mr. Wilson, so that the peoples of Austria-Hungary will be self-governing!" ”

Yang Yongtai shook his head after listening to Tom's words, and Tom couldn't help but ask when he saw it, "What?" Does your Government not agree to do so? ”

Yang Yongtai said: "Mr. Tom, you are a smart person, you should imagine that once all the national forces in the Austro-Hungarian Empire are allowed to be autonomous, then the Austro-Hungarian Empire will inevitably be divided into many small countries, and even the throne of Karl I may not be able to be kept!" ”

Tom shrugged: "What's wrong with that?" Isn't it the aim of our country and your country to let them form a government so that Britain and France will not succeed? ”

Yang Yongtai's mind was spinning quickly, and he immediately said: "Yes, this is our goal, but to disintegrate the Austro-Hungarian Empire, do you think Britain and France will have no way to put their hands into these small countries?" If you think about it, after the end of the war, Germany will definitely be greatly weakened by their proposals, and most of the benefits of Germany will be obtained by them, after all, they are much closer to Germany than we are, and without Germany's containment, if even Austria-Hungary is completely dissolved, then what other country in Europe can contain them? When the time comes, France or Britain will dominate Europe, with the whole of Europe as their backing, will they still take both of us into account? ”

Tom was told this by Yang Yongtai, and immediately felt the seriousness of the matter, he couldn't make up his mind for a while, and couldn't help asking: "So what does Mr. Yang mean?" Or what do you mean? ”

Yang Yongtai said: "Retain the Duchy of Austria, the Duchy of Carinthia, the Duchy of Salzburg, the Duchy of Styria, and the Tyrolean region, let the Habsburgs continue to control the above regions, let Karl I declare the establishment of the Kingdom of Austria on the basis of these regions, and Karl I renounces the title of emperor and becomes the king of the Kingdom of Austria, in addition, let Karl I allow the autonomy of all ethnic groups in other regions, and even if these regions become independent and sovereign states after the establishment of power, there is no problem, The point is not to let Britain and France go unchecked in Europe! ”

Tom looked at Yang Yongtai, his eyes flashed, and suddenly he asked: "Mr. Yang, have you reached some secret agreement with Austria-Hungary?" ”

Yang Yongtai immediately blew up when he heard this, and suddenly changed his face: "Mr. Tom, do you know what you're talking about?" If you don't have any evidence to say this kind of nonsense, it will destroy the relationship between you and me, you understand? ”

Tom was startled and hurriedly raised his hand: "Okay, okay, I apologize, I apologize!" I shouldn't have said such a thing, please understand! ”

"Tom, I don't mean anything else, you should be well aware of the advantages of our proposal, only to keep a country in Europe that is okay but not too strong can contain Britain and France, and I hope that you will seriously consider our proposal. You should also know that we have always supported President Wilson's 14-point principle, and should you also attach importance to and support our proposal? ”

"Well, Mr. Yang, I need to ask for instructions from China, after all, I am only a negotiator, but I have no authority to make a decision."

Yang Yongtai smiled: "Of course, of course, Mr. Tom can ask for instructions from China, while there is still an hour before the meeting!" But I think you're a person with your own ideas, don't you think our proposal is good for both of us? ”

"Well, that seems to make some sense!" (To be continued......)