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June 21, 1919, was the day when Britain and France presented an ultimatum to Germany.

The atmosphere at the Japanese Embassy in France was much more relaxed than before, and for the first time, the staff set up sweet rice wine specially for the celebration on the breakfast table. Yoshiichi Tanaka was very satisfied with this arrangement, and even Nobuaki Makino, who rarely drank alcohol, sang a few sips.

As a representative of Demosis during the Taisho period, Makino Nobuaki has become one of the only remaining leaders of the constitutionalist faction after 510. However, he was very different from Saionji Gongwang and others, and his position was relatively neutral, so Tanaka asked him to be the foreign minister after forming a cabinet. Thanks to his efforts, Britain not only promised to continue to support the Anglo-Japanese alliance agreement, but also decided to hand over two German battleships and one battlecruiser to Japan, and to share extremely important naval technology such as German armor-piercing shells and Krupp armor, so as to help the Japanese navy maintain its dominant position in the Pacific.

This was exciting news for the Japanese delegation, and the efforts of half a year had finally paid off. However, Britain has not given any clear answer to the status of the German New Guinea island and the abolition of all unequal treaties with China, which has always made him feel that his heart is still hanging. However, I was still very happy to get 3 German capital ships, and I was especially happy to say: "Is the negotiation between Yoshida Shina and the British Navy completed?" ”

Shigeru Yoshida, who sat opposite, was Nobuaki Makino's son-in-law, and this time he served as the latter's secretary with the group. He was the staunchest pro-British and American faction in Japan and replied, "No agreement has been signed." But the intention has been basically reached, and the five battleships will be sold for 1.2 million pounds each. ”

"That's great!" Konoe Wenlu had already hated Yang Qiu to death after being slapped in public last time, and sneered: "Although they have bought five, those are already outdated warships, and soon they will know that the empire's maritime power is still stronger than theirs!" As long as we ensure the Empire's superiority at sea, we don't have to look at the faces of these ghost beasts! I have seen that their peace is actually a passability to maintain the status quo, and we cannot indulge in the beautiful rhetoric they promote. And the League of Nations, promoted by the United States! What seems to unite nations is actually a groveling of us. If the Great Japanese Empire had followed their rules, it would have been in the company of snakes and scorpions! ”

Shigeru Yoshida holds a completely opposite view: "Konoe-kun is not right, I think it should be closer to Britain and the United States!" Although they now need China because of Russia. But I insist that the rise of China will not be good for them in the long run, so they will definitely limit it. I, the Great Japanese Empire, should take the initiative to get close to Britain and the United States and wait for the opportunity to return to China! ”

"Hey! Britain and the United States are hypocritical villains. What is the difference between their treatment of the Empire and China? We obviously did not lose the last war, but they forced us to stop fighting for their own interests, and demanded that we sign a humiliating entente, and forgot about the withdrawal from China! Do we have to listen to them now and lose Taiwan? ”

"That's different."

The argument between the two made Tanaka Yoshinao frown, although he felt that Yoshida Shigeru was more right, it was too early to talk about getting rid of Britain and the United States, but the hereditary duke of the Senate of Konoe Fumiro had a special status, so he simply did not intervene, and saw that Nagata Tetsuyama had not spoken. Diverting the subject, he asked, "Nagata-kun?" What's not happy? ”

Nagata Tetsuyama does not care about the Navy. After 510, the Japanese army was criticized, and the navy also took advantage of this to improve its status and throw out the theory of maritime supremacy, and swallowed a large amount of military spending, not to mention that this time it got three capital ships, which undoubtedly fueled their arrogance. But looking at the wars of the world, it is the army that really solves the problem! Seeing Yang Qiu's rapid expansion of the army. So he was very worried and said: "The Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister have already sent news from China that some units of the China Defense Forces are moving to the northwest, and they are likely to want to take advantage of the Russian civil war to get into Central Asia, and I think we must plan for it as soon as possible." ”

"Central Asia? What does that have to do with our Great Japanese Empire? Konoe Fumiro was very unhappy when he was interrupted, picked up his wine glass and said, "Zhina Yang Qiu is involved in the Russian quagmire. You should have a drink. ”

Nagata Tetsuyama looked at him like an idiot: "You can't say that. The Russian war cannot be fought forever, the poor party will not want to see a long-term garrison in China, and Britain also needs to ensure its own interests there, so this dispatch of troops will determine the future discourse in Asia! If they are given the excuse to stay there for a long time to stabilize the situation, then they can free up more energy to go east. And let's not forget that Yang Qiu is working on the annulment of all unequal treaties. This is not only against our country, the biggest victim is Russia! If Russia compromises and annulls those treaties after Russia's defeat, how will we ensure our interests in places such as the Birch Island and the Sea of Holtzk? Is it necessary to lose Taiwan and then lose the north? ”

These words made everyone secretly ponder, and Tanaka Yoshiichi asked in a deep voice, "Then what do you think of Nagata-kun?" ”

"We have no chance of intervening in Central Asia, and even in the north, we have to be on the defensive in the Sea of Okhotsk and on the island of Huatai, so I think it's time to contact Russia." As soon as Nagata Tetsuyama finished speaking, before everyone remembered that they wanted to join forces with Russia, the secretary suddenly broke all the atmosphere.

"Something has happened to the Prime Minister! I just got the news that the German Navy has sunk all their warships! ”

"What!"

Nagata Tieshan is young and quick-witted, and Huo Ranqi's face has changed greatly. Yoshiichi Tanaka and Nobuaki Makino reacted a few seconds later, the wine glass in their hands fell sharply on the table, and the German Navy warships in Scapa Bay all sank by themselves! Naturally, Japan's three capital ships will not be available, while China is negotiating with Britain to purchase five capital ships! "Prepare the car, I need to go to see the allies immediately." What Democrus, what constitutional manners, Makino Shinxian forgot everything, stumbled to stand up and rushed out, only to rush out a few steps to mix garlic under his feet and fall. Shigeru Yoshida hurriedly went to help, but he pushed it away and yelled, "Go and prepare the car!" ”

Such an embarrassed appearance frightened the embassy staff to scream and get busy, and Tanaka Yoshiichi's brain was completely blank. Although even if China buys 5 capital ships, it will not be able to defeat 2 Nagato, but in this way, the advantage of the Japanese navy will inevitably be greatly reduced, and Taiwan will really not be able to keep it, so it will not care about its demeanor, and bowed and shouted: "Makino-kun, everything is please!" ”

At the same time that Nobuaki Makino hurried out of the house, Britain also received news of Operation Rainbow in Scapa Bay.

That afternoon, Paris was in complete chaos!

The German delegation, which had been holding out for several months, after hearing the news of Operation Rainbow. At the same time, the Sino-British warship procurement contract, which had already reached a preliminary agreement, was forcibly interrupted by Japan, and the British Navy did not want to sell it in its heart. But how could the promises of the British Empire be easily withdrawn? In the end, Japan had to buy four battle cruisers, New Zealand, Australia, Lion, and Princess Royal, for 1.3 million pounds each. The British Empire made money and blamed China for its low bid, but this explanation apparently did not satisfy the negotiators led by Lu Zhengxiang. He walked away on the spot, and even the British Navy said that it could transfer the Akulkin for 500,000 pounds.

Yang Qiu was not particularly happy that the little conspiracy succeeded, but Ye Zugui and other admirals died in a hurry. Seeing that they didn't think about it, considering that the navy's experience in the manufacture and use of large warships was not enough, and there was no financial pressure, they agreed to buy two Combined Forces-class battleships controlled by Italy and France. Britain and France were in a hurry to cash out, and in the end, they didn't make too much trouble and directly traded at a price of 500,000 pounds each, which was an explanation to the navy.

The ship purchase agreement signed by China and Japan in Paris almost at the same time has greatly angered the US government, and in any case it is not a good thing for China and Japan to strengthen their navies, and Britain's move is obviously intended to contain its expansion into the Pacific region. Therefore, it also accelerated the construction of the domestic navy, and when Britain reacted, similar to the ringing bells before the First World War, the sound of riveting bells was endless, and in order to curb the world naval arms race, the British Empire had to actively prepare for the next negotiations.

June 28th. After losing its navy, Germany finally bowed its head and signed the Treaty of Versailles in humiliation in front of hundreds of journalists and dignitaries from various countries. After the German settlement, the Ottomans, Austria-Hungary and other countries also signed the Entente and officially announced their surrender. Watching the German delegation leave silently. Seeing those French cheering and excited, Yang Qiu quietly hooked the corners of his mouth. Just as he was about to turn around and leave, he happened to see Tanaka Yoshiichi not far away, and suddenly greeted him.

Tanaka Yoshiichi didn't expect Yang Qiu to come over directly, and before he stretched out his hand, Yang Qiu approached and suddenly whispered: "Congratulations to Your Excellency, the 4 capital ships are very good!" After saying that, without waiting for a reaction, the confused Japanese delegation left Paris overnight.

Look at his back. Yoshiichi Tanaka always had a feeling that something wasn't good for some reason.

Although the work of withdrawing the soldiers and taking the supplies will not be until at least early next year, the war in Central Asia is urgent, so Yang Qiu decided to leave for China immediately.

When he arrived in Marseille, Karakum Airport was also greeted by an Albatross 1918 transport plane. The hatch opened, and Shi Xiaolou, commander of the Northwest Theater of Operations, and Wu Peifu, chief of staff, who had returned to China to recuperate, stepped out of the cabin one after another, and Long Yun, Dongfang Chen, and Lu Han, who had returned from graduation from Germany and were assigned to the Northwest Front, arrived on the same plane.

Located halfway between Zaisampo and Lake Balkhash in East Kazakhstan, the place called "Akzar" in the parallel world has completely changed. After the planned relocation of the Sunrise Project to the east of the Urals, not only a large number of machinery and equipment were shipped back to China, but also a small number of small factories such as cement and thermal power generation were relocated here. With these things, and the hard work of tens of thousands of Chinese laborers withdrawn from Russia for a year, the rudiments of seven fortresses in the shape of plum blossoms have appeared, and a large number of bunkers and bunkers have been set up on the walls and inside the fortress walls. Two independent fortress artillery positions were also excavated on the peaks on the southeast side. According to the plan, after the completion of the project, the fortress city will not only be equipped with 18 fortress heavy guns of more than 200 mm, more than 100 other artillery pieces, but also an independent airport, and the railway will also be connected to the Shanghuan West Xinjiang Railway. However, due to the fact that the materials grabbed before were basically consumed, the domestic transportation speed was slow and very troublesome, and the self-production could not be satisfied, so the construction speed began to slow down. As for the fortress heavy artillery, although there is no shortage, it is also waiting for Europe to be shipped back, so at present, there are only 48 Russian-made M1910 122mm howitzers and 2 203mm naval long-range cannons that have been snatched back from Russia.

In fact, the first choice for building a fortress was not here, but Semipalatinsk, an important town in the northwest of East Kazakhstan, but first, it was low in the middle and surrounded by mountains, and once it was surrounded, it could not break through, and secondly, it was beyond the scope of the Qing territory before the Beijing Treaty. In order not to provoke the British, French and Russian opposition too much, it was decided to build it close to the Sino-Russian border negotiation line in 1727.

Such a large project naturally attracted the attention of the whole of Kazakhstan and even Central Asia, and tens of thousands of Chinese workers and troops stationed in it themselves needed to consume a lot of grain. So the herdsmen sold their cattle and sheep to the garrison, and then exchanged them for cheap and high-quality tea bricks, salt and daily necessities in the garrison's hands. In addition, the White Guards and the Red Army fought each other outside of East Kazakhstan, so nearly 100,000 Kazakh herdsmen have taken refuge here, which has also stimulated local development in disguise.

Officers such as Li Liejun, Mei Sheng, and Dai Jintang waited at the gate early, while Sun Chuanfang and the 18th Infantry Division, who had been transferred from the North China Theater, could not arrive until July because of the long distance.

"Sit down." After Shi Xiaolou waved everyone to sit down, he first introduced the three newcomers to everyone, and after assigning the work, he directly picked out the action plan: "The latest information, Lenin has agreed to incite the minorities in Central Asia to attack us, so the General Staff has decided to expand the scope to East Kazakhstan, Almaty, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, the goal is to ensure the security of Western Xinjiang, what is the difficulty in conducting a sweep of the guerrillas and armed forces operating in these places?" ”

"The main thing is that there is a shortage of supplies." Dai Jintang was the first to get up: "There is no big problem with ammunition, a lot of the ammunition brought back from Russia before is stored in Urumqi and here, mainly because of the shortage of food. Dutov and the poor party are now fighting fiercely, and the rest of Kazakhstan is already full of displaced people, and the food shortage is extremely serious! We don't have much food on our own, and there will inevitably be a greater influx of refugees once the sweep begins, which may cause trouble. ”

Wu Peifu is still grateful to the brigadier general who woke him up back then, although he is now a major general and his rank is still a little higher, but he still has a smile on his face: "Cousin Jin, don't worry, the General Staff has thought of this." The first batch of grain will arrive in Urumqi at the beginning of the month, and the second batch will be transported directly from the northeast to Barnaul by the Trans-Siberian railway, and then transferred by small train. But we still have to find a way to raise as much food as we can. ”

"I would like to ask, is this operation going to be with Dutov? And what should I do if I encounter a British army? Li Liejun slowly stood up...... (Your support on this site is my biggest motivation.) )