500 million marks, at the current exchange rate, that is, 20 million pounds, 200 million oceans. For Germany, this is not a small amount either. After all, Germany's annual revenues are only 1.2 billion marks.

Of course, if Germany agrees to the loan, the money will not be paid by the German government, but by the German banks.

"Five hundred million marks? Your Excellency, Young Marshal, you are really a lion's mouth! Minister Hahausen couldn't laugh or cry.

"Your Excellency, five hundred million marks is not a lot. However, all of these 500 million marks will be used to purchase weapons and industrial equipment from Germany. That is, the money remained in Germany anyway. Wu Haoxuan said with a smile.

"Your Excellency, I doubt that your government will be able to afford this money in the future. After all, that's not a small amount! Especially after the northern government also borrowed large sums of money from the United States. Minister Hahausen asked suspiciously. The government of the north wants to develop industry, and he understands. After all, in the face of a strong enemy, if you don't speed up the speed of development, I'm afraid you will only be destroyed. However, exceeding one's ability to repay is not only not a good thing, but also a disaster.

"Your Excellency, you need not worry about this. The future Chinese government will certainly be able to repay this loan. However, in order to ease our pressure, I hope that this loan will be a long-term loan and that we will start repaying it after 15 years. Of course, the interest can be set at five percent. Wu Haoxuan said sincerely.

"Fifteen years? The repayment period is too long. Hahausen underestimated.

"Your Excellency, as soon as the repayment deadline is up, we will definitely repay the loan. What's more, after China becomes stronger, it will also be very beneficial to Germany. I've analyzed this before. Wu Haoxuan said.

If. The Germans were able to agree to the loan. Then, all the battleships and fortress guns ordered by the Northern Navy will be paid for by this loan. In addition, the Germans will also provide the northern government with industrial equipment worth 200 million marks, which will bring the industrial development of the seven northern provinces to a new level. In a very short period of time. will be able to compete with Japan, or even surpass Japan.

As for repayment, Wu Haoxuan was not worried. Fifteen years later, the First World War would have ended. At that time, Germany was already weakened, and at the same time, because it had to repay the huge war reparations of the Entente countries, the domestic currency was seriously depreciated. Mark became like a waste of paper. At that time, 500 million marks will probably be equivalent to only a few million marks now. That's the case. It is equivalent to Wu Haoxuan pit the Germans' weapons and equipment and industrial equipment of 500 million marks in vain!

Although, such an act is somewhat shameless. But Wu Haoxuan didn't feel guilty. These Germans, too, are not good birds. A few years ago, the Eight-Nation Coalition invaded China, and the commander-in-chief was a German. The industry has gained rapid development in Germany, and it hopes to gain access to a broader market. China, on the other hand, became the target of the Germans. That's why the Germans forcibly leased Jiaozhou Bay and turned Qingdao into their colony.

"Your Excellency, I will report to the country as soon as possible." Minister Hahausen said. He thinks the same. According to Wu Haoxuan, if China develops strong. For Germany, it is undoubtedly extremely advantageous. Not to mention China's huge market, China alone was able to hold back a large part of the Entente power for Germany, which was enough for Germany to vigorously support China.

Wu Haoxuan nodded, he believed that the Germans would definitely make the right choice.

Potsdam on the outskirts of Berlin, the capital of Germany. Inside the palace of Kaiser Wilhelm II. Wilhelm II convened the top leaders of Germany and convened the Imperial Council. The content of this imperial meeting was mainly the report sent back by Hahausen, the minister to China.

Wilhelm II sat on his throne and watched as his ministers circulated the report from Minister Hahausen. Originally, he was pleased with Minister Hahausen's proposal in the report to help China develop. Then the proposal to use China to contain Britain, France and Russia scoffed. However, when he thought about it carefully, he found that this plan was very feasible. That's why he convened this Imperial Council.

Wilhelm II suffered from Elb's palsy due to a breech birth at birth, resulting in atrophy of his left arm. This made him ambitious, impulsive, and reckless, as well as arrogant in his dealings with others. There is an opinion that Wilhelm's ills must have been the result of his personality, such as the dismissal of Bismarck. His mother, Victoria. Adelaide. Mary. Princess Louise was too strict with him, giving her in-laws, William I and his wife, the opportunity to sow discord in front of William II. His mother, feeling guilty about her son's physical defects, constantly demanded that Wilhelm II exercise diligently. However, Wilhelm II had a very bad relationship with his mother. In addition, because Empress Frederick was born into the British royal family, she often instilled in her son the concept of the supremacy of British status. This gave Wilhelm II a very mixed feeling about Britain from an early age, and it may have changed his foreign policy towards Britain as a result.

Wilhelm II was impulsive and reckless by nature, and therefore failed to remain rational in German foreign policy. One example is his love-hate relationship with his cousin, who ruled Britain, and the British. For Wilhelm II, an armed conflict with England was "the most inconceivable"; However, as Wilhelm II's plans to expand his navy extensively began, the rise of Germany was a source of great concern for the British.

Coupled with Germany's strong industrial strength, its national strength is increasing day by day. This also made Wilhelm II's ambitions continue to grow. Challenging Britain and replacing it as the world hegemon became the goal of Wilhelm II.

However, although Germany surpassed Britain in industrial strength, Britain's strength was still no worse than Germany's. Plus the old enemies, the French, as well as the Russian cousins and the British, all came together. It made Wilhelm II's dream full of difficulties and obstacles.

In addition to Wilhelm II himself, the pre-royal council was attended by Crown Prince Wilhelm, Prime Minister Bonhardt. Feng. Bilow, Foreign Secretary Theobaden. Feng. Bateman. Holwig, Chief of the General Staff of the German Army, Helmut. Feng. Admiral Moltke (Moltke Jr.), Admiral Alfredo. Feng. Marshal Tirpitz.

"Ladies and gentlemen, what do you think of Minister Hahausen's plan?" After everyone had circulated the report, Wilhelm II asked.

"Father, I have to admit that Minister Hahausen's plan is a little too whimsical. I doubt that those Chinese with pig's tails behind their heads can really drag Britain, France and Russia for us? This may simply be their plot to defraud us of our loans and industrial equipment. Crown Prince William spoke first. Perhaps influenced by Kaiser Wilhelm II's Yellow Peril theory, Crown Prince Wilhelm had a deep antipathy towards the Chinese. In addition, perhaps he also thought that with Germany's strength, it seemed too humiliating to unite with the Chinese. He looked down on the Chinese from the bottom of his bones. This crown prince, like Wilhelm II, was also a stubborn and conceited man. Even, even more so than Wilhelm II in this regard.

Wilhelm II didn't say anything, but looked at the others.

"Your Majesty, the strength of the army of the northern government is still good. They defeated the Japanese in last year's war. Moreover, the Japanese were defeated with almost equal forces on both sides. The Japanese, on the other hand, defeated the Russians a few years ago. Therefore, I believe that the combat effectiveness of the Northern Army is still worthy of recognition. Coupled with their large population base, if they can arm millions of troops, they will pose a serious threat to Britain and France, as well as to Russia. Therefore, I would suggest that we can work with the Chinese. Moltke the Younger, Chief of the General Staff of the German Army, first expressed his attitude.

Germany had to confront Britain, France, and Russia, which put a lot of pressure on the German Army and had to face the disadvantage of fighting on two fronts. Especially when Germany's allies were extremely unreliable, the Germans could only rely on themselves. If there is a Chinese check, then the pressure on Germany will be much less.

"Chinese? They were just a fluke. I doubt that they will be able to win against the Russians. The Russians are known as steam rollers, with a standing army of more than 1.4 million. Crown Prince William said disdainfully.

"The weapons and equipment of the Chinese are much more advanced than those of the Russians. At the very least, the two light weapons that they intend to transfer to us free of charge have already been studied by military experts, and although the technical conditions are very low, they are very practical. As for the number of troops, it is simply impossible for the Russians to compare with a country with a population of 400 million. "Moltke Jr. doesn't seem to intend to give Crown Prince William face.

"However, they have not yet taken control of the whole of China, they have only divided northern China." Crown Prince William insisted.

Moltke Jr. shrugged his shoulders and said, "That's the way it is. But, I think, they should soon be able to take control of the whole country. ”

"Your Excellency, what is your point of view?" Wilhelm II asked.

"Your Majesty, China is a huge market with a population of 400 million. This market is very important for Germany. Even if we want to share it with the Americans, we have to get this market. "Prime Minister Bilow was very direct.

"Your Majesty, an alliance between Britain, France, and Russia is now more and more likely, and we must get more external support. The Chinese, although a little weaker, are also a good choice. If their industry can develop, it will be more beneficial for us to win them over. Foreign Secretary Holwig also said. (To be continued......)

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