Episode 28 Negotiating the Bottom Line

The following week,.

First of all, Xiang Xiaoqiang planned to only take Qiuyu and leave Xiuxiu behind. One reason is that this time I went to Europe, in that world composed of Christians, taking two wives on my honeymoon would have a bad impact on my image, and it would directly affect my score in the hearts of those big business dignitaries. As for the press, Xiang Xiaoqiang is not too worried. Both in Germany and in the Soviet Union, their news was firmly controlled by the dictator.

The second reason is more important, that is, I can't go without someone at home for a month or two. Xiuxiu is the ideal candidate. Xiuxiu is his wife, absolutely loyal, and intelligent, perceptive, and able to perceive people's hearts. The disadvantage is that he is still relatively young, not yet twenty years old, and has not held much power.

But it's not a big problem, Xiang Xiaoqiang's main purpose is: let Fourteen Gege look at the People's Guard, and let Xiuxiu look at Fourteen Gege.

The task of the 14 grids is: to take care of the affairs of the People's Guard Corps in general, to prop up this stall for Xiang Xiaoqiang, to continue to maintain the ** nature of the People's Guard, to handle well the relationship with the Cabinet, Dongchang, the Army and Navy Headquarters, and friendly forces, to continue to win over the commanders of the Army Aviation and the commanders of those group armies, to strengthen the "liaison feelings", and not to let the two months pass, and the people will be tired. The most important thing is to be optimistic about the People's Guard and make sure that no one else gets involved.

Xiuxiu's task is to assist Fourteen Gege, and more importantly, to supervise Fourteen Gege, so that she does not have the opportunity to do Ge's work. Xiang Xiaoqiang added the title of commander and adjutant to Fourteen Gege. "Adjutants" generally do not have high military ranks, but they usually have a lot of authority. Relying on this title, she was justified as the interim commander of the People's Guard. announced to Xiaoqiang that during his absence, Adjutant Zhao Fang would temporarily act as the commander, and Adjutant Shang Xiu would assist him. Any movement of troops must be signed by both adjutants at the same time to take effect.

However, Xiang Xiaoqiang directly gave Xiuxiu the right to transfer the guard company of the People's Guard Corps Headquarters and the gendarmerie of the People's Guard. Xiuxiu mobilized these two small troops, and he could make his own decisions.

In addition, he invited Snail, Li Gensheng, Stomachache, and Li Changgui to his house and had dinner. At dinner, he showcased his cards to his henchmen, and in general affairs, he just listened to the fourteen grids. When it comes to important matters, such as major personnel arrangements, they have to think more about it themselves. When it comes to the transfer of the army, if it is a fourteen-grid transfer, Xiuxiu must also nod. If it's Xiuxiu's transfer, there's no need for a fourteen-grid nod.

Xiang Xiaoqiang asked Xiuxiu to come out to accompany them to dinner, and asked Xiuxiu to give them a lamp, and then Xiang Xiaoqiang got up and bowed deeply to a few henchmen, asking them to help Xiuxiu well. Several people hurriedly got up in a panic, saying that adults don't have to be like this, we must help adults share their worries and support Madame.

With a stomachache, he patted his chest and said:

"Don't worry, my lord, we will definitely help Madame and keep Princess Liaoyang watching."

Xiang Xiaoqiang couldn't cry and laughed, and corrected:

"Wrong, now Princess Liaoyang is not a prisoner, say it's big, she's Princess Daming, say it's small, she's your boss. The current situation is that I have entrusted the People's Guard to her during this time, and you must cooperate with her and obey her arrangements. Of course, except when it is critical, you have to count. If Liaoyang Gong mainly wants to make some moves, she has this ability. We're just in case now. So, ladies and gentlemen, you still have to do what you should do in normal times, but when it comes to critical moments, you have to play a life-and-death role. ”

Xiang Xiaoqiang's few words clearly pointed out the positioning of the fourteen grids and the role of several of them. These people listened to Xiang Xiaoqiang's last sentence, and they all nodded solemnly, and they had a feeling of being valued.

Xiang Xiaoqiang said again:

"During this time, my radio station will always be on, and if you have any questions, you can send a telegram to me."

Xiang Xiaoqiang had given each of them a set of passwords in advance, so as to ensure that each of them could report to themselves individually and secretly. Can't listen to each other.

……

After arranging the personnel of the People's Guard, a big problem that Xiang Xiaoqiang is more worried about is how to maintain his monopoly on Zhu Yourong.

It seems that this question is more difficult, although he has such a high status in Zhu Yourong's heart and is so trusted, he is just himself. Now that her own people are no longer by her side, she will inevitably bring opportunities to others. God knows if Zhu Yourong will have a second "friend" in this month or so?

"Look" the People's Guard with 14 grids, "watch" 14 grids with Xiuxiu, then, "watch" Zhu Yourong, only one person is the most suitable: Zheng Yuxuan.

Xiang Xiaoqiang originally wanted Zheng Yuxuan to marry sisters with Fourteen Gege and live in Princess Liaoyang's mansion, but now she is required to live in the Forbidden City and stay with Zhu Yourong as much as possible. Therefore, the worship of the fourteen grids can only be said when necessary. Now Zheng Yuxuan must be made "nowhere to go", so that Zhu Yourong feels that if he doesn't take in his cousin, his cousin will sleep on the streets.

In a week, Xiang Xiaoqiang spent two full days with Zheng Yuxuan, sweet words and various romantic means, which made Zheng Yuxuan fall in love with him more thoroughly, and the relationship between the two was one step closer. He told Zheng Yuxuan about his current difficulties: those old ministers in the court regarded themselves as thorns in their side, and their visits to Europe were actually slanderous rumors about their entry, and they transferred themselves for a long time so that they could take the opportunity to get involved in the People's Guard. Maybe when he returns to China in two months, he has been deprived of military power and is difficult to say if he is an idle lord.

Xiang Xiaoqiang hugged Zheng Yuxuan, stood under the window, bathed in the crimson sunset, held up her face, looked at her eyes, and said affectionately:

"Xuanxuan, how I wish your father could have forced you out of the house sooner...... That way I'll get to know you sooner...... Then maybe you're my wife by now...... I'll take you with me when I go to Europe this time...... You are beautiful, intelligent, and noble, and there is no one more suitable to take you out on this visit...... No, I'm not saying that I don't love Qiuyun, I'm not a person who likes the new and hates the old, a woman, as long as she becomes my wife, she becomes the happiest woman...... I am speaking from the perspective of national interests...... You are intelligent, elegant, generous, and familiar with the occasions of high society...... I really hope that the wife of the commander of the Ming People's Guard, whom the German ministers and generals saw, is you...... They will think that the women of the Ming Dynasty are as beautiful, intelligent, and noble as you......"

poured sweet words to Xiaoqiang, but silently said to Qiu Yu in his heart, "I'm sorry", now I urgently need your sister Yuxuan to help her husband watch the empress, and you can't pour a few more words of ** soup for your husband, so you can bear with me......

However, on this occasion, it is true that Zheng Yuxuan is really more suitable than Qiuyun and Xiuxiu to take out.

Zheng Yuxuan lowered his head sweetly, gently pressed his head against Xiang Xiaoqiang's chest, and smiled very gently:

"It's okay, don't you take it as an example, hehehe......"

Xiang Xiaoqiang was stunned, Zheng Yuxuan raised his face and looked at Xiang Xiaoqiang very slyly:

"Remember what you said, next time you have a chance like this, remember to take me there......"

Xiang Xiaoqiang broke out in a cold sweat and said with a dry smile:

"Hehe, that's for sure."

Zheng Yuxuan blushed and smiled:

"Alas, Lord Xiang...... You've deceived me, and you want me to help you cheat on your cousin......"

Xiang Xiaoqiang was taken aback: This Nizi, you can't see that I like Zhu Yourong, right? No way, that eye is too poisonous!

It's good she didn't mean that. Zheng Yuxuan then smiled:

"If you don't say it, I'll do it for you...... I have you alone in my heart, do I watch them manipulate you? …… Don't worry, during this time, I will definitely stick to my cousin's side and not give them a chance...... If someone says bad things about you in front of your cousin, I'll say good things about you and help you come back...... Then, I'm going to say bad things about him and let everyone know that you're gone, and I'm still there. There is a price to pay for beating your idea. ”

"Oh!" Xiang Xiaoqiang hugged her tightly and kissed her on the face and neck, "Oh, I love you so much......"

Zheng Yuxuan's face was flushed, her heart was pounding, and she was almost about to soften in Xiang Xiaoqiang's arms, letting him be light, but reason still prevailed, she didn't want to hand herself over so hastily. She struggled a few times, pushed away Xiang Xiaoqiang's mouth, and gasped softly:

"No...... No, don't, ...... to your lordship We don't want that...... I'll be your man sooner or later......"

Xiang Xiaoqiang originally wanted to "eat" Zheng Yuxuan before leaving, so that he would be absolutely insured. But seeing that she was reluctant, he didn't dare to force her, so he only kissed her lightly on the forehead, and sighed softly:

"I'm sorry...... Forgive me, I love you so much. ”

Then, Xiang Xiaoqiang put his ear to her again and whispered:

"Remember, I often ask Your Majesty to invite Princess Liaoyang into the palace to play. Weekends like this can be done...... Then you tell Princess Liaoyang who Your Majesty has seen during this time, what he has done, what he has said, and what his mood is...... She'll send it to me by telegram...... Remember, it's important......"

Zheng Yuxuan pushed him, and said:

"You're taking me for a spy?"

Xiang Xiaoqiang was stunned, and also said:

"Spies? Am I short of spies? …… I...... I'm taking you for a wife. …… If it's just a spy, I have a whole Janissaries in the palace, and they can all be my spies...... But I would never leave this life-and-death matter to a spy...... The only thing I can do is my wife. That's you. ”

Zheng Yuxuan was stunned for a moment, slowly lowered his head, put his forehead on his chest, and muttered softly:

"I was wrong......"

……

In the past few days, Xiang Xiaoqiang has inspected the troops almost every day, inspected the training of the First Armored Division of the People's Guard, as well as the expansion of the People's Guard, and visited those outstanding recruits and graduates of military academies who are recruited every day. Almost every time Xiang Xiaoqiang made his rounds, he would give them exciting speeches on the playground, in the canteen, and on the tank.

In his stirring speeches, he always vaguely hinted that as long as he followed him, there were many opportunities to make achievements, and even the lowliest second lieutenant, corporal, and even private had the opportunity to be promoted to captain, colonel, or even general at a young age. Because, he himself is the best example. His men are the best example of this.

During each speech, the young officers and soldiers listened enthusiastically and applauded several times. This Commander Xiang really deserves his name, although he is not much older than himself, but his speech really speaks to the hearts of the people.

Xiang Xiaoqiang also publicly asked the empress for a pardon for Zhang Fushan in the past few days. Zhu Yourong also agreed. As a result, there was another hot speculation in the newspaper, some said that Xiang Xiaoqiang was magnanimous, some said that Xiang Xiaoqiang sold his reputation and deliberately put on a show, and some insisted that Zhang Fushan was the scapegoat of the Zheng family, and now His Majesty asked Xiaoqiang for it.

But no matter what, the matter is finally over.

Taking this opportunity, Xiang Xiaoqiang told Zhu Yourong that reporters had been found outside the residence where he placed Zheng Yuxuan. Now that the "Xiang's fraud case" has been fired again, in order to protect Miss Zheng Yuxuan, she can't be allowed to live in that house anymore.

Zhu Yourong immediately said happily that he could let Zheng Yuxuan come to live in the palace. Zhu Yourong hadn't seen his cousin for a long time, and he had been thinking about it for a long time.

So, Zheng Yuxuan rightfully lived in the Forbidden City and was able to play with Zhu Yourong again.

……

This week, Xiang Xiaoqiang spent a lot of time with Xiuxiu, her mother and younger brother. He didn't want the old man to return to that town, teach in a wheelchair, and tie Ye Ziyu, a good young man, to his mother and tie him to that town. Xiang Xiaoqiang is too short of manpower around him now, especially those who are 100% loyal to him. Xiang Xiaoqiang came to this time and space "naked" by himself, and he didn't have any relatives or friends, and these "relatives" were his most reliable people.

He now understood why the former monarch always liked to use relatives and eunuchs. Before the monarch has just gained power and his wings are not full, his relatives and eunuchs are the most loyal and reliable people, and they are the best candidates to assist him and check and balance his foreign ministers.

Now Xiang Xiaoqiang is the same. He was not a courtier who kept to himself, but a fledgling careerist. At present, for him, the ability of his subordinates is not the decisive factor, but the decisive factor is loyalty, intimate loyalty.

Qiu Yu is pitiful, for a whole week, Xiang Xiaoqiang slept in Xiuxiu's room every night, and she kept a spare room for a week as soon as she got married. However, Qiu Yu is not jealous at all, and she is still very sympathetic to Xiuxiu. Qiu Yu knew that this was Xiang Xiaoqiang appeasing Xiuxiu, because Xiuxiu was going to be home alone next and kept the empty room for nearly two months. This week in Autumn has been particularly good for Xiuxiu. She didn't want time to pass too quickly, so she would have to be separated from Xiuxiu for a long time; She is looking forward to the fact that this week will pass soon, and she can follow her husband to Europe on a luxury cruise for her honeymoon and enjoy her husband for two months......

After Xiang Xiaoqiang arranged all the affairs, he summoned all his henchmen to his house on the evening of the 21st, and everyone had a dinner and a drink. Xiang Xiaoqiang's drink was very sensational, after everyone got drunk, Qiu Yu and Xiuxiu hugged and cried, Xiang Xiaoqiang and several of his subordinates hugged and cried, after Fourteen Gege and Xiuxiu got drunk, they sat together in their arms, both of them cried and apologized to each other, and they both said that they had always admired each other......

Anyway, the effect of sensationalism was much better than Xiang Xiaoqiang's expectations. Especially Fourteen Gege and Xiuxiu, whether it's true or half-true, anyway, there was this time when they hugged their heads and cried after drinking, and the two of them will get along much better in the future.

……

At half past seven in the morning of the 22nd, Xiang Xiaoqiang, Qiu Yu and Xiuxiu took a car to Xianlin Airport. At eight o'clock, Zhu Yourong's motorcade came.

It's time to separate from Xiuxiu.

Xiang Xiaoqiang and Xiuxiu hugged and kissed goodbye fiercely. Xiuxiu burst into tears and couldn't cry.

"Xiuxiu," Xiang Xiaoqiang couldn't help but have red circles in his eyes, and he was about to cry, "I'm sorry for your husband, the newlywed Yan'er will be separated...... Take care of your home for your husband! Look forward to the People's Guard for your husband! …… Take care of your mother and brother for me! ”

Xiuxiu sobbed tremblingly and nodded vigorously:

"Your Excellency...... Adults can go with confidence...... The concubine knows everything...... Adults don't have to worry about concubines! As an adult, the concubine is optimistic about the family and the People's Guard! ”

Xiang Xiaoqiang didn't say anything more, hugged Xiuxiu tightly in his arms, let her bury her in her arms and cry bitterly, and she looked at the sky with tears.

After a long hug, Xiuxiu hugged Qiu Yu and cried again. Xiuxiu cried:

"Autumn Stream...... For these two months, adults will rely on you to take care of them...... You must take good care of the adults...... ...... for me Serve the adults well for me......"

Qiu Yu also hugged Xiuxiu and cried:

"Xiuxiu, be obedient at home...... Take care of yourself...... Take care of the adult's business...... I know you can't go this time, it's just me...... I owe you ......"

After saying goodbye, Xiuxiu waved her hand with tears and watched Xiang Xiaoqiang and Qiu Yun board the plane.

……

Zhu Yourong's fleet consisted of three Junkers-52s, as well as 15 Kingfisher fighters. The group roared from the airport, circled in formation, and then headed south to Guangzhou.

Xiang Xiaoqiang, Qiu Yun and Zhu Yourong were on one plane, while Alfred Krupp was on the other plane.

In addition to being awarded a medal last time, this is the first time that Qiu Yu has been in contact with the empress so closely, and he was so nervous that he sat beside Xiang Xiaoqiang carefully, and he didn't even dare to look at it. Zhu Yourong is very interested in Qiu Yun, and always stares at her with a smile. The more I watched Qiuyun, the more nervous I became, and the more interesting Zhu Yourong felt. She kept looking at Xiaoqiang playfully, which means that you are very discerning, and the lady you married is quite good!

In the end, the sweat on Qiu Yun's head came down, and Zhu Yourong ended this "eye game", simply sat next to Qiu Yun, and took the initiative to chat with her.

Xiang Xiaoqiang remembered that Zhu Yourong liked to play this kind of "eye game" very much. When he first entered the Changping Marquis Mansion and met Zhu Yourong face-to-face for the first time, Zhu Yourong played this trick with him, but he didn't eat that set at that time.

Zhu Yourong is very good at relieving the tension, she started with the "Junker 52" plane she was sitting on, and asked Qiu Yu with great interest the story of the plane that escaped by tricking the plane at Pukou Airport, and how she found the word in the shell on the plane.

Qiu Yu was still very nervous at first, but then gradually entered the state, and found that Zhu Yourong was also a curious girl of the same age, and began to talk and laugh.

During lunch on the plane, Zhu Yourong gathered Xiang Xiaoqiang and several of his attachés (in fact, all of them were experts), and while eating, everyone reviewed the general policy of the visit.

First, we will get as much technology, talent, and production lines as possible from Germany. This is also the only thing that Germany can do with the Ming Dynasty. For example, Germany's aviation technology, such as the Messerschmitt fighter jet, as well as chemical technology, such as the coal-to-oil technology that the Ming Dynasty urgently needed, and so on. There is also the introduction of talents, a large number of experts, consultants dispatched, and so on.

Second, cooperation should be controlled as much as possible economically and technologically, and should not be tied to Germany. More long-term, empty promises could be made to Germany. Because Xiang Xiaoqiang told Zhu Yourong that Hitler played with fire so frequently, he would be wiped out within ten years. Given Germany's performance, Zhu Yourong is also easy to believe.

Because of this, Zhu and Xiang's policy was that everything they took from Germany should be as affordable as possible, things that could benefit immediately, and things that could really help the Ming Dynasty resist the Manchus. What he gave to Germany, or what Germany needed, were commitments, statements, alliances, and moral support.

In view of the fact that Hitler always believed that there would be no war before 1946, Xiang Xiaoqiang planned to generously make some secret agreements with him to be fulfilled after 1946, for example, after 46 years, if there was a war between the Slavic countries in the east of Germany and a war with the Soviet Union, Daming would immediately declare war on the Soviet Union...... If, after 46 years, Germany and the democracies of Britain and France were to go to war, the Ming would immediately declare war on them, attack their colonies in the Far East, attack their military presence, and so on.

Also, after 46 years, after the completion of the Third Reich's "Z" shipbuilding program, the Ming Empire will generously provide it with three or five ports as bases for the German fleet in the Far East, on lease for at least 50 years......

As for why after 46 years? Because the Ming Dynasty will be ready for a large-scale war at least after 46 years......

And so on this series of tempting big checks.

Third, in terms of political transactions, Daming's bottom line is:

On the German side: to deny that the Manchus were the most legitimate countries, it must be asserted that the Manchus were aggressors, and the land they now occupy is part of the inherent territory of the Ming Dynasty;

For the Ming side, it is perfectly legitimate and ethical to support Germany's rearmament and Germany's actions and efforts to break free from the shackles of the Treaty of Versailles. Daming supported Germany's claim to the Dan Corridor, Germany's claim to the Sudetenland, and if Mr. Hitler was interested, Daming would also support him in the German-Austrian merger. …… Of course, it's all moral support.

As for the material, the Ming Dynasty will send a large number of permanent city construction experts to Germany to help the German people build a "western wall defense line" with their rich experience in building the Yangtze River defense line. In addition, Daming will sell unlimited quantities of non-ferrous metal ore that it lacks to Germany.

Of course, these are the final bottom line of the Ming Dynasty, and it is impossible to throw them all at once, so you must exchange as few things as possible for as many things as possible. And Xiang Xiaoqiang went this time, just to get in touch first, to explore the way, if you find that the two sides are very sincere and very interesting, Zhu Yourong will take the expert group to go over in person for formal negotiations.

Zhu Yourong shook his head and smiled:

"Well, I think you're like a prophet, as if you know what Chancellor Hitler wants to do in a few years."

Xiang Xiaoqiang smiled:

"Your Majesty, believe my information......"

……

At one o'clock in the afternoon, the queen's plane flew to Guangzhou. On the same day, Zhu Yourong and his entourage rested in Guangzhou for one night, and the next day the queen's motorcade arrived at the port of Guangzhou in the mouth of the Pearl River.

Xiang Xiaoqiang got out of the car, and at first glance, he saw a black, white and red giant luxury cruise ship parked in the port.

The pitch-black hull of the giant ship, the white superstructure, the three red chimneys, and the weight of more than 30,000 tons are quite similar to the Titanic back then.

This is one of the main cruise ships of Daming Zheng's shipping company: Yongan Princess.

The Yongan Princess is a brand new fast cruise ship that will be used to operate the shipping business from Daming to Europe. The route passes through the South China Sea, the Strait of Malacca, the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, the Suez Canal, the Mediterranean, the Strait of Gibraltar, and finally reaches Europe on the east coast of the Atlantic, with a distance of about 10,000 nautical miles.

Today, thousands of people are crowded in the port, and balloons and streamers are fluttering. This is the maiden voyage of the Yongan Princess.