Mr. Adolf Hitler, who was unanimously accused of being a demon and a madman by the whole world in another time and space, and was regarded as a savior by the entire Western world in this plane, is now in the same room as Chang Ruiqing.

This is a conference room in the Ministry of Defense of the German Reich Government in Tsosen. By the way, Hitler's government was no longer a provisional government. At the end of 922, presidential and parliamentary elections were held in Germany. The result was a great defeat for the Social Democrats and a big victory for the National Socialist Workers' Party in Germany to become the largest party in the Reichstag! At the same time, the presidential candidate nominated by the Nazi Party, Paul von Hindenburg, was also elected president. After the election, a new government in Germany was also formed very quickly, and this government is still a coalition government, consisting of small parties such as the Nazi Party and the Democratic Party. The Prime Minister was Erich Rudendorff of the Nazi Party, Hitler was still Minister of Defense, the Foreign Minister was Rathenau of the Democratic Party, and the Minister of Economy and Reconstruction of Germany was Dr. Schacht, a well-known banker and economist.

Although he was a civilian defense minister, Hitler still wore a taupe military uniform, just like he did in a documentary from another time and space. The hairstyle is still the same as the twenty-eight open, and the small toothbrush-like mustache has not changed. In addition, the problem of nagging has not changed, and most of today's negotiations seem to have become a stage for him to perform alone. Whether it is Chang Ruiqing, chairman of the Central Committee, Henri Petain, the French army director, Aristide Briand, the French foreign minister, or their German chief of general staff, von Zeckert, or the Italian foreign minister Ciano who plays soy sauce, they all rarely find an opportunity to interject a sentence or two.

The future Führer stood in front of a huge military map of Central and Eastern Europe, marked with all sorts of tactical symbols. The symbols used by the world's best teams are similar, so Chang Ruiqing understood at a glance that what was displayed on the map was a super defense line, consisting of countless batteries, trenches, fortresses, permanent fortifications, roads, hospitals, power stations, and many natural barriers. It should be the legendary Adolf Hitler Line, which can defend the entire Western world, right?

According to Hitler's description, this line of defense was to be built in three parts. The first part is mainly to build a defensive line on the Polish-German border, because the terrain of the Polish-German border is too flat to defend except for a few rivers, so such a defensive line is very important. It must be completed as much as possible. The second part was opened in Czechoslovakia and Hungary, along the Sudetenland and Western Carpathians, and the amount of work was not large, mainly to strengthen the defense of some passes. The third part is the line of defense on the border between Romania and the Soviet Union, and this section of the line of defense is the difficulty of the entire Hitler line. Romania shares a long border with the Soviet Union, and the terrain is relatively flat. There is a certain difficulty in defending. If you have to build a defensive line, the cost will be very huge. So the French were inclined to abandon Romania. But Hitler insisted on defending the kingdom, which was ruled by the Hohenzollerns. So on the morning of the first day of negotiations, everyone listened to Hitler babble about the importance of Romania and the urgency of defending it.

“…… If we're going to build a wall against thieves, we should finish it. Instead of leaving a huge gap! Otherwise, thieves will rush in through this gap, and this costly wall will become a joke, the biggest joke in the world! ”

Hitler spoke German with a rather strong Bavarian accent, Chang Ruiqing did not understand German, and the interpreter was Jiang Baili, the Chinese ambassador to Germany. After translating this paragraph, the latter reminded Chang Ruiqing in a low voice: "Bench." The key to building a line of defense in Romania is not how much money is spent, but the obligation of France and our country to Romania - if the Hitler line in Romania is breached, we and France risk being drawn into the war. The French feared that Romania would turn into a powder keg that would detonate World War II. ”

"Is a Soviet invasion of Romania highly likely at the moment?" Chang Ruiqing asked rhetorically.

"Very big." Jiang Baili said. "There is news that the Soviet Union is about to issue an ultimatum to Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia to join the Soviet Union. European diplomats in Berlin now believe that the next target of the Soviet Union is Romania, at least by making claims to Bissarabia and Bukovina, which were annexed by the Kingdom of Romania during the Russian Revolution. ”

"Mr. Minister of Defense," said the French Foreign Minister, an elderly man with a neatly trimmed mustache and a large French nose, speaking in elegant French. "We're talking about more than just a line of defense. There is also a treaty on mutual defense. The more countries that participate in this treaty, the greater the obligations that our country and the Kingdom of Italy will bear. ”

Chang Ruiqing grew up in elementary school in a French missionary school, so he could understand some French. Without waiting for anyone to translate, he continued with the words of French Foreign Minister Briand: "I also agree with Monsieur Briand. I think a mutual defense pact involving France, China, Germany, Italy, and Czechoslovakia would be enough to contain Soviet expansion attempts. ”

Hitler was silent for a while, waiting for the interpreter next to him to translate Briand and Chang Ruiqing's speeches into German. His face sank. Suddenly raised his voice and said: "This is not a mutual defense treaty, this is pointing the way for the expansion of the Soviet Union!" If we had not had the determination to defend Romania and Hungary, Trotsky's Red Army would soon have marched into these two countries! Soon! Soon! Soon! He screamed, clenching his fists. Waving two straight arms. "Then there is Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Albania, Greece...... The whole Balkans would be ruled by the Bolsheviks, and then perhaps Turkey and the whole Middle East! ”

"We can get Romania and Hungary to declare neutrality and establish diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union." Chang Ruiqing could probably guess what Hitler was talking about. So without waiting for Jiang Baili's translation, he proposed his own Jianyì. "As far as I know," he said in stiff French, "the Soviet Union's current national policy is still focused on construction, and they need to heal the wounds of the war." If Romania and Hungary could become agents of the Soviet Union in international trade, it is believed that Lenin and Trotsky would have spared these two countries for the time being. ”

Chang Ruiqing's words were translated into German by the Chief of the General Staff of the German Army, Colonel General von Zeckert, and relayed to Hitler. Hitler hesitated for a moment, and with some bewilderment, said, "This is raising polar bears!" This bear will get stronger and stronger, and one day it will tear everyone here to shreds! ”

Briand and Pétain, who both understood German, glanced at each other. Briand said in German: "Monsieur Hitler, may I understand that you have agreed to the exclusion of both Romania and Hungary from the mutual defense treaty?" ”

"No, Hungary cannot be ruled out." Hitler said. "Hungary was a barrier between Czechoslovakia and Austria, and the country's border with the Soviet Union was not long. We should extend the line of defense there. As for Romania...... Let's just let them be neutral for the time being. This is my final opinion! ”

Hear Hitler's final opinion. Both Frenchmen breathed a sigh of relief. Brian smiled elegantly: "Mr. Chairman, France agrees with Mr. Hitler that the mutual defense treaty will include France, Germany, China, Italy, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary. What do you think? ”

Are these six countries the Axis powers of this plane? Chang Ruiqing thought for a moment. Nodding his head, he said in French, "I agree." I think it's time to talk about the rights and obligations of our countries in this treaty, right? ”

The Frenchman took the old Count Ziano, and Hitler, saw him

They all nodded, and Pétain took out a stack of essays from the leather bag he had brought with him and handed it to his secretary for him to distribute. China, Germany, and Italy each received a thin text bound on several sheets of paper. The text Chang Ruiqing received was handwritten in Chinese. It's written in a mess, it seems a bit rushed, and the content is only related to China. Roughly speaking, it means:

First, China, France and Germany have carried out military cooperation. France and Germany will help China train its army and air force; The three parties reciprocate high-level military missions.

Second, France and Germany supported the construction of China's heavy industry and military industry by means of barter; France has provided a loan of 000 million francs to China specifically for China's purchase of equipment and weapons from France, which will be repaid in 0 years and can be repaid with agricultural products and minerals; Germany will send engineers and technicians to China's arsenals and heavy industry enterprises; France, Germany and China will jointly develop tanks and aircraft (China will bear one-third of the research and development costs for related projects).

Thirdly, France renounced its claim for reparations from China and returned the reparations it had already received in the form of educational aid.

Fourth, China must carry out a general mobilization when the USSR attacks the Hitler Line, and complete the mobilization of 0000000 troops within a month. Germany and France declared war on the Soviet Union within 24 hours of the Hitler Line being broken by the Soviet Red Army, and the offensive began within 72 hours of the declaration of war.

Fifth, China undertakes not to infringe on French Indochina by force and to recognize French suzerainty in French Indochina. The French side will guarantee the legal rights of Chinese nationals in French Indochina.

Finished with the conditions prescribed by the French. Chang Ruiqing handed the text to Jiang Baili again, and asked for his opinion in a low voice: "General Baili, what do you think?" Is it worth it for us to betray the USSR for these things? ”

He was of course referring to the "Triple Non-Aggression Pact," and once China signed the mutual defense treaty with France, Germany, and Italy, it would naturally violate the non-aggression pact signed with the Soviet Union.

"A piece of paper in exchange for a loan of 0 billion francs and technical aid from France and Germany. Commission, your business is admired by Jiang! Jiang Baili said with a smile: "But we should be able to ask for more, the French did not promise to participate in the war when we were attacked by the Soviet Union." ”

Chang Ruiqing smiled slightly, took Wen Jiàn from Jiang Baili's hand and waved it. In French, he said aloud: "Monsieur Briand, Your Excellency Marshal." I note that this document does not specify what position France and Germany should take in the event of an attack by the Soviet Union. ”

Hearing this question, the French at the scene all frowned. The Soviet attack on China and the Soviet breakthrough of the Hitler line were not the same thing after all. The latter has already threatened the security of the French mainland, and of course France can only take up arms to enter the war, but the former is a crisis on the other side of the world, how can the peace-loving French people agree to the government to enter the war?

Before the French could express their position, Hitler had already exchanged views with the German Foreign Minister Rathenau, and he rushed ahead of the French and shouted: "Germany will attack Poland!" This could be enshrined in the treaty. ”

Briand and Petain looked slightly embarrassed, and the Germans' clean statement pushed France to the forefront, and it was necessary to come up with something to buy the Chinese. In the calculations of the French, China's role was not only to contain the Soviet Union, but also to restrain Germany from overarming itself, which had previously been engaged in a two-month-long war of words over the upper limit of the German army. It was not easy to reach an agreement - France agreed that Germany would have an army of no more than 500,000 men, but only if China was included in a mutual defense treaty initiated by France and Germany.

The French Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Inspector General of the Army began to exchange views in a whispered manner in French with great urgency and speed. Then Briand coughed: "France will also come to China's aid, but there is no guarantee of a declaration of war, but France can provide China with weapons and ammunition assistance, and can also provide China with food from French Indochina." ”

He wasn't done yet. Chang Ruiqing interjected loudly: "Mr. Brian." I don't know if you have noticed that the Japanese Emperor Hirohito is visiting Wèn in Moscow in the past two days. According to the information available to our country, it is very likely that Japan and the Soviet Union will sign a secret treaty against China. So China would be vulnerable to an attack by both Japan and the Soviet Union, and Japan's navy would be strong enough to block China's overseas lines of communication. At that time, it is very likely that the weapons and equipment promised by France will not be able to reach China. I wonder if France and Germany can provide China with a batch of weapons and equipment in advance? ”

listened to Chang Ruiqing's request. The two Frenchmen began to discuss in a low voice again, only to see the old Marshal Pétain, the French Army Director, nodding as he spoke. Soon after the discussion, General Petain spoke: "France can provide weapons and equipment to China in advance, but only army equipment, and the payment can be drawn from a loan of 000 million francs." ”

"No, I can't. No way. Chang Ruiqing's head shook like a rattle. Our country has assumed considerable obligations and risks for this treaty, which should be compensated accordingly, and we should receive the full equipment of at least thirty heavy field artillery regiments free of charge. This is a must, a prerequisite for our accession to the treaty! ”

Thirty heavy artillery regiments! Hearing Chang Ruiqing's asking price, the corners of Jiang Baili's mouth twitched, you really dare to open your mouth! However, the two French bigwigs did not show too surprised expressions, and General Petain actually asked seriously: "I wonder what type of cannon you want?" How many cannons is each artillery regiment ready to build? ”

What does this mean, is the French really going to give? Chang Ruiqing didn't have any surprised expression on his face, and frowned and thought for a while. In French, he replied: "We need 05mm and 55mm howitzer regiments each, 55mm cannon regiments and 220mm heavy howitzer regiments 5 each, all models are 97 models." The establishment of each artillery regiment is 6 guns. Each cannon also needs 500 rounds of ammunition, including 50 training rounds. ”

Petain nodded, and did not make a counteroffer. Instead, he spoke to Hitler in German. Jiang Baili whispered the content of their conversation into Chinese to Chang Ruiqing. It turned out that the French wanted the Germans to share some of the pressure, and Hitler readily agreed to provide China with 0 light howitzer regiments, all equipped with 96mm howitzers. In addition, Germany can also supply 50mm and 20mm heavy howitzers to China. However, Petain rejected Hitler's kindness, believing that China's 50mm first-class cannons were all French 55mm standards. It is not advisable to add a German-style 50mm cannon, so as not to cause unnecessary trouble to the logistics - this Frenchman is quite thoughtful when he thinks about it. Of course. Now the arms warehouses of France and Germany are full of cannons from the First World War, and even if they are not given away, they will be obsolete in a few years, and they can only be weighed and sold to steel factories for recuperation. It is better to use it to buy Chinese, and besides, these cannons will be used to kill the Bolsheviks sooner or later......

After discussing with Hitler, Petain nodded at Chang Ruiqing and said, "Well, we and Germany can agree to your request, and the equipment of the thirty artillery regiments and fifty-four thousand shells of various kinds will be shipped within a week after the treaty is signed." ”

Chang Ruiqing nodded, finally showing a happy expression. "Very well, so that we have enough strength to resist a possible invasion by the Soviet Red Army. But the Japanese Navy ...... What are you going to do to help China deal with the world's third-largest naval fleet? ”

The two Frenchmen retracted the smile they had just shown, and Pétain furrowed his eyebrows and said, "As far as I know, you have good relations with Japan, and Japan has a territorial dispute with the Soviet Union, and there is very little chance that the two countries will form an alliance." ”