The outbreak of the First World War brought ruin to Europe.

Outside of Europe, however, it has brought about a new lease of life...

Because of the First World War, the European powers were devastated, especially Britain and France, and their colonial rule around the world was shaken.

In the original history, if there had not been two world wars, I am afraid that the subsequent wave of national independence would have been many years later―――――― if it were not for the great losses during the two world wars, how could a great power like Britain and France allow its colonies to become independent? Even if there is a factor of the United States, after all, the United States is not invincible in the world, if it were not for the fact that Britain and Germany fought a lose-lose fight in the First World War, even if the industrial strength of the United States far exceeds that of Britain, it is impossible to reach the point of keeping pace with Britain (in the historical Washington Treaty, a series of restrictions on the navies of the world's countries are stipulated, and from a certain point of view, they are also based on the strength of each country, of which Britain and the United States are the first echelon, and Japan is the second echelon, As for France, which has paid the most in the European competition, it has become the third echelon......... Of course, the French navy was not very strong. ）

And in addition to those colonial countries, there are many other countries that have also benefited.

For example, China, Japan, and the United States...

Because of the European war, the European powers had a great need for the materials needed for the war. The problem is that the war itself consumes too many materials, and countries like Britain and France are not even able to meet the needs of weapons and equipment. Not to mention some of the materials needed for daily life?

In order to meet this demand, Britain, France and other countries have only one way, that is, to buy...

Buy from abroad. Buy from China, the United States, Japan, and many other countries in South America...

This massive demand for materials has brought unlimited business opportunities to the above-mentioned countries. For example, the United States owed Britain 400 million pounds before the war, but Britain owed the United States 800 million pounds after the war.

That's 1.2 billion pounds, which is almost equivalent to seven or eight years of British revenue―――――― of course. It refers to the pre-war period, because after the war, Britain introduced many new taxes. In addition, the tax rate has been raised, the fiscal revenue has increased a lot, and of course, the money spent is definitely more than the money received...

And it is precisely by virtue of this war that the United States has earned. After the end of the war, it became a world power that could be on a par with Britain.

In a way. At least at this stage, no country has earned more from this than the United States.

As for China? Of course, China also made a lot of money in this war, not only the domestic industry and commerce have been greatly promoted, but even the fiscal revenue has been greatly improved, even reaching the point of more than 100 million pounds, and the domestic industry and commerce have also 'run into industrialization' because of this war...

Today, China's industrial strength is similar to that of France and Russia before the war in several major indicators, but there are still many gaps in some details. After all, countries like Britain, France, and Russia. It has been hundreds of years since it was built into full-scale industrialization, but China has only recently begun to do so. No matter how many plug-ins are opened, it will be too unreasonable to catch up with today's great powers from a poor and backward semi-colonial country in a few years.

In the eyes of the world today, the United States has the most to gain from this war, and China is secondary. Of course, this is mainly because people are not aware of the importance of the Middle East, otherwise even if China does not benefit as much as the United States, it will not be much worse.

It should be noted that if there is a third place in a series of countries, it must be Japan.

Although Japan was very traumatized after suffering a disastrous defeat in the Battle of Shandong, the relatively good international situation at that time allowed Japan to recover quickly.

The demand for materials in the European war led to a great improvement in Japan's domestic industry, and although the benefits of the war were not as great as those of China, it was still a very impressive figure.

As for military power, Japan's military power has also made great progress.

Since the Battle of Shandong, the Japanese army and navy have suffered extremely heavy blows, the army has lost more than 100,000 people, and the navy's main ships have lost more than half, and what particularly annoys the Japanese is that as long as the lost ships are still usable, almost all of them have been salvaged by the Chinese to repair and then put back into active service...

It took almost a year for the Japanese to make up for the losses of the Army, and the Navy even longer, taking almost two years.

However, after that, with the help of the east wind of the European war and the real needs of the Chinese threat, the Japanese expanded their army on a large scale, and the army strength that had been mobilized to 500,000 was expanded to 600,000, and the navy in addition to the two new battlecruisers and super dreadnoughts in service, also began a new shipbuilding program...

Its military strength is even stronger than it was before the war.

However, while Japan is making progress, so is China. Moreover, as a direct participant in the European War, China also received a lot of support and help from the Entente countries. Later, China's military strength expanded to more than 2 million, and its navy became the fifth largest naval power after Britain, Germany, the United States, and Japan in terms of scale.

It is precisely because of this that although its strength has been restored, Japan has never retaliated―――――― of course, those right-wingers in Japan who are not very mentally normal and only know how to shout are excluded...

Seeing that China's power has become stronger and stronger, the Japanese rulers are now a little desperate.

Yes, China and Japan have indeed made great progress by taking advantage of this war, but in this competition, the distance between China and Japan is getting wider and wider...

The level of industry has reached several times that of Japan, and China has adopted a low tax approach to fiscal revenue. However, fiscal revenues are still much higher than those of Japan. Plus the vast territory, inexhaustible manpower and material resources, etc...

Compared with barren Japan, China's advantage is simply too great.

And now the total strength of China's national defense forces has reached 2.55 million. It is almost four times the size of Japan―――――― this is not the national army during the Anti-Japanese War in later generations, the national army at that time except for the Central Army and a small number of miscellaneous troops in the elite can compete with the Japanese, the rest of the troops are likely to be several times more numerous than the Japanese, in order to barely compete with Japan.

However, even if the ratio of forces in China is 1:1, the Japanese still do not have the confidence to win.

Japanese industry was relatively poor, and a lot of resources were invested in the navy. Although the army has received a lot of money, it has always been relatively poor in equipment due to the industrial level. The main force of almost extravagant equipment like China. Is it even more impossible?

Even Japan's most elite 10-odd standing divisions are incomparable with China's 33 first-class divisions.

Today's Wehrmacht is no longer the Wehrmacht of the past, and the Wehrmacht of the past can only fight the well-trained Japanese army with superior equipment. Because the Wehrmacht at that time had only been established for more than two years. Many of the so-called main forces are in fact local motley forces.

But now...

After many years of hard work, the Wehrmacht has been in no way inferior to the Japanese in terms of training, especially those expeditionary forces that are fighting fierce battles in Europe, and their training and actual combat experience are far superior to those of the Japanese troops.

Of all the great powers today, I am afraid that only Japan has the most direct threat from China...

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Despair, sheer despair...

Although the Japanese are eager for revenge, China has now far surpassed Japan in strength. Now there is only the navy. Japan may have a slight advantage, but that advantage may not exist at any time.

According to information received by the Japanese government. China's shipyards already have the capacity to build 10,000-ton cruisers, and two cruisers of this class have already been launched for sea trials, and it is only necessary to wait for the news of the successful design to come out, and more than a dozen large shipyards along the coast of China will be at full capacity...

In addition, according to the intelligence obtained by Japan in China, now China's ship design agencies have also begun to design the battle cruisers of the same class as the King Kong class, as well as super-dreadnoughts...

If the Chinese really succeed in the end, then the little advantage that the Japanese have at sea will disappear in the blink of an eye. Even the top of the Japanese government does not know how to compete with China.

Watching the Chinese expand their territory in the Middle East, regain lost territory in the Outer Northeast, and leave Japan behind step by step, how can the Japanese government not be sad...

It's just that they really have no choice, after the outbreak of the European war, Japan has been trying its best to shirk it, which makes many people in the upper echelons of Britain, France, the United States and other countries have a bad feeling towards Japan. Even if there are people at the top of the government in these countries who are aware of the Chinese threat, these relationships will not help Japan much.

At present, some people of insight in Japan cannot but admit that Japan has entered a predicament in its development. In the face of an increasingly powerful China, Japan is likely to degenerate into a second-rate country―――――― this is a world full of competition, the market is limited, one more player, other players will get much less, and China and Japan are very close, and the impact on them is unimaginable to other countries...

Historically, Japan took advantage of the European War to officially become one of the top ranks, and at the time of the signing of the Washington Treaty, it was even one level higher than France.

In this era, because of China's relations, Japan has certainly gained considerable benefits from trade, but it is not enough to help Japan surpass China...

But...

Just when the upper echelons of Japan were almost desperate, a piece of news reached their ears and brought them a glimmer of hope.

At a time when the Entente and the White Army in Russia, together with the Central Powers, were encircling and suppressing the Soviet Russian regime, the Chinese government sent troops into Central Asia and Siberia...

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The effects of the Battle of Shandong have long since passed, and with it, the streets of Japan were crowded with people because of the help of the European War. The city will also become much more prosperous than it was before the war.

And in the house in Tokyo, at this moment, as the two elders who control the whole of Japan, Yama Prefecture Aritomo and Saionji Gongwang are sitting opposite each other.

In the past. The faction represented by Youpeng in Shan County and the political forces represented by Gongwang of Xiyuan Temple have always been absolutely opposed, but at this moment...

Is it reconciled? Of course it can't be...

It may be incomprehensible to ordinary people, but for the Japanese, there are some things that cannot be reconciled even if the country is about to die. For example, the classic conflict between Japan's army and navy, for example. The two forces represented by the two people sitting in front of me...

It's just that unlike history, both Yama Prefecture Aritomo and Saionji Gongwang are the best politicians in Japan, the same. Unlike those fanatical right-wingers in later generations who even have brains and muscles, even if they see each other as a thorn in their side, they are still very clear about when to do something and when not to do something.

It's like right now. Although the two major political factions have not yet reconciled. But in the face of such a threat from China, they are very willing to make some compromises and cooperate...

And the news that I just got not long ago made the two meet again after a short time.

"Central Asia, is there still Siberia..."Holding a small wine glass, he gently shook the sake in the glass, and Yama Prefecture Youpeng, who was wearing a black kimono, said with a deep face. Quite an appetite..."

"That's true," he said, glancing at his old rival. Xiyuan Temple Gongwang bowed slightly.

"If China gets these two places, then China will probably be very difficult to contain..."

"That's why I'm coming to you..."Looking at Yama County Youpeng. Xiyuan Temple Gongwang Zhengse Road. "It's an opportunity, a God-given opportunity, isn't it?"

Hearing what the public of Xiyuan Temple said, Youpeng of Shanxian County was silent for a while.

In his heart, he also had to admit that what Gongwang of Xiyuan Temple said was very reasonable.

It's just that in terms of what to do, Youpeng in Shanxian County seems a little hesitant.

At present, there are two main roads for the county to choose, one is to take advantage of the fact that the main forces of the Chinese army are distributed in Europe, Central Asia, and Siberia, and send troops from Korea to launch a surprise attack on the Chinese army on the other side of the Yalu River.

More than 600,000 in Europe and more than 100,000 in the Middle East, which is already more than 800,000, plus more than 700,000 in the First Army Group, is more than 1.5 million. In other words, China now has just about a million troops at home.

After excluding the 200,000 navy, the number of land forces in China is only 800,000. Considering China's sheer size of territory and the number of troops it needs to garrison, China's current military presence is very limited.

And what about Japan? At present, there are 600,000 troops, and unlike China, Japan's territory is very small, and it does not need to garrison most of its troops in various regions like China, in other words, Japan can gather more troops than China in a certain direction...

If there is a sudden attack on the Tohoku region......... At least in terms of troops, Japan will definitely not tend to be inferior.

Moreover, according to the information obtained by Youpeng in Shan County, after the establishment of the Guoshe government, the northeast has always been one of the key development areas of the Guoshe government. In addition to the few projects of the initial [Seventh Five-Year Project], with the victory of the Shandong Campaign and the withdrawal of Japanese forces from Northeast China, the Guoshe government added a number of projects.

Today, Tohoku is one of the most important heavy industrial regions in China, especially in terms of steel, and is now produced by almost half as much as Japan. If we can take advantage of the lack of Chinese troops to launch a fierce attack on the Northeast and then occupy the entire Northeast, then...

Japan, which has obtained the northeast, will certainly increase its strength greatly, and similarly, Japan's dispatch of troops to the northeast will certainly disrupt China's layout, and may even cause chaos within China. Moreover, Yamaguchi Youtomo also dared to conclude that although Japan and the Western powers had a very unpleasant quarrel some time ago because of the European war, Britain and France would definitely support Japan in this matter...

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Contrary to what Yama Prefecture Youpeng thought, Saionji Gongwang did not think that he should take this opportunity to launch an attack on the northeast region. After all, it is too risky to do so, not to mention that China is still an ally of Japan at the moment, and since the 700,000 troops that have advanced westward can be sent, they can naturally be recovered―――――― and Russia is currently in a civil war. Even if Cai's First Army Group withdrew, Kolchak and the Russian Red Army would not be able to pursue it.

And if these 700,000 troops are withdrawn, then China's own troops will reach more than 1.5 million. This is almost two and a half times the total strength of Japan. Moreover, if the Chinese's westward expansion plan is interrupted, the Chinese will definitely be annoyed and angry, and if it is not done in the end, Japan may not even be able to keep North Korea and Taiwan this time...

So...

"I think the most important thing at the moment is not to send troops to the northeast, but to contact Britain, France, the United States and other countries to discuss how to deal with this matter..." In the past, there have been some people in these countries who have been wary of China. It's just that for various reasons, there has been no reason to support our country, and now China has made its own stupid moves. If the great powers want to balance China, the empire is definitely the most important link in it, and we can get a series of support from the hands of the great powers..."

This is the idea of the public hope of Xiyuan Temple, send troops. Now is a great opportunity. But it's the same. The risk of sending troops is also significant. Conversely, if they take advantage of this opportunity to connect with the Great Powers, it is likely that the Great Powers, which are also worried about the threat from China, will change their attitude and support Japan instead.

Japan, on the other hand, can use the support of the great powers to confront China and ensure Japan's position in the international arena and many interests...

At least in the eyes of Xiyuan Temple Gongwang, this is the most correct thing to do.

And this. is also the biggest difference between the two, but no matter what. One thing is certain, and that is that both Yamaprefecture Aritomo and Saionji Gongwang believe that Japan alone has become very reluctant to confront China.

The only way to contain China is to use the power of the great powers...

And if you want to use the power of the powers, the first thing is that you must contact the powers first, otherwise it would be too stupid to simply think that there would be a tacit understanding between each other on this issue or something―――――― this kind of thinking is too stupid...

Therefore, although there were constant debates between Xiyuan Temple Gongwang and Shan County Youpeng on how to choose the path, they quickly reached a unified opinion on one point, that is, they immediately contacted the Great Powers, and consulted the Great Powers on this issue, as well as help...

After the results of the discussion between Yama Prefecture and Saionji Gongwang, the current Japanese prime minister soon summoned diplomats from various countries in Japan, and from a certain point of view, even the so-called prime minister is just a puppet in the hands of the elders of Yama Prefecture Aritomo and Saionji Gongwang...

On the other hand, countries such as Britain and the United States are also annoyed by China's move.

As for the series of reasons put forward by Yan Shao, for example, not recognizing the Kolchak regime, only recognizing the Kerensky regime, and in order to prevent the spread of red elements in Siberia and Central Asia, they decided to send troops to these two regions, and the great powers naturally scoffed at them.

With the large-scale invasion of Central Asia and Siberia by the Wehrmacht, the great powers already knew what Yan Shao was thinking. Although they were surprised by Yan Shao's appetite and ambition, they also knew one thing, that is, simply using the skin of the mouth, obviously there was no way to convince the Chinese...

Similarly, it is precisely because of this incident that Britain, France and other countries have heightened their vigilance against China.

In the past, although some people in these countries were a little wary of China, at that time China was in a honeymoon period with Britain and France, and the expeditionary force fought bloody battles in Europe and made many meritorious achievements, so that many people in Britain, France and other countries and within the government had a good impression of China.

So even if some people think they should be wary of China, this idea has never been able to become mainstream.

But this time...

As China's westward expansion began, even those who had a favorable view of China became unhappy with the Chinese government's decision. After all, this time Yan Shao did not do anything in the Outer Northeast, but on the two maps of Siberia and Central Asia, which are almost equivalent to the area of a continent...

If China is really allowed to annex these two places, then after counting China's original territory, China will surpass the historical Mongol Empire and the former Russian Empire, and become the world's largest contiguous territory country...

And the ambition it showed in this operation, as well as a series of other things, also made the upper echelons of Britain and France and other countries extremely vigilant―――――― if Russia was in civil strife, China sent troops to Russia, if they had any problems one day, then their colonies in Southeast Asia were not?

Therefore, on this issue, Britain, France and other countries and Japan can almost be said to hit it off.

Almost not long after the Japanese prime minister invited diplomats from various countries in Japan, various countries sent envoys to Japan to discuss measures for the incident.

At the same time, on the other side of the ocean, the United States Congress also made a decision to demand that China immediately withdraw from Russian territory, and at the same time consider whether to give Japan some support, so as to help Japan resist the pressure from China...

Similar resolutions have been made in Britain and other countries, but to a lesser extent on the French side. After all, in this war, China contributed a lot, and even fought bloody battles for the French on French territory.

This also makes France have a great favor towards China, both in the people and within the government, and in addition, France has only one French Indochina in Asia, which does not have as many interests as Britain, and at the same time it has very good diplomatic relations with China.

So France is not particularly active in this matter ...

Of course, after this incident, there was another person who seemed very embarrassed, and this person was Bertrand. After all, Bertrand's status is special, and it is very uncomfortable to be caught in the middle.

By the way, it is precisely because of his special status, so under Yan Shao's secret request, Bertrand has been holding some not very dangerous positions, the most recent job is to be responsible for regulating the relationship between the Chinese Expeditionary Force and the troops of other countries on the Western Front―――――― with Bertrand's identity, from Cai Yi and Jiang Baili down, almost all the expeditionary officers and soldiers have to give him some face, and it can almost be said that it is better for him to do this work.

However, it was precisely because of this that Bertrand never commanded another battle.

No way, who told Elino to worry about her father, as soon as she blew the wind on her pillow, it was not a big deal to think about it, of course Yan Shao would not refuse. And Yan Shao personally paid for it, and the French government obviously couldn't refuse, so Bertrand, the emperor of Algeria, finally did the role of liaison officer in the world's largest war...

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The private actions of Britain, the United States, Japan and other countries, Yan Shao is not unclear. He was also clear that no matter what the final outcome was, Japan would receive support from the Great Powers as a reward for confronting China.

However, even if he knew this, Yan Shao would not let go of such an opportunity.

After all, such an opportunity is too difficult, and after getting these two places, as long as you can stand firm...

China no longer needs to fear any country...

So even if there are more obstacles, Yan Shao will not be able to retreat, and in the case of having already sent troops, Yan Shao has no way to retreat, because retreat means failure, which has a great impact on Yan Shao's prestige and status...

But fortunately, the country is still very supportive of sending troops, on the one hand, because of the trust in Yan Shao, and on the other hand...

Just look at how big these two places are on the map... (To be continued......)