The three points that Yan Shao talked about just now are indeed not very convincing, and even Yan Shao himself can't be convinced. Not to mention anything else, just on the third point of reparations.

Before this battle was clarified, Yan Shao began to think about the issue of compensation? That's too long-term.

At least after listening to Yan Shao's reasoning, in addition to a few old and serious people, some of the younger ones pouted almost at the same time.

Sitting next to Cai Yi, Jiang Baili frowned even more.

"It's just a success, but what if it fails?"

Hearing Jiang Baili's words, the others also nodded.

In fact, for Jiang Baili, the people here agree with Cai Yi as much as they do with Cai Yi.

The difference with Cai Ye is that Jiang Baili has no actual combat experience, and his qualifications are too shallow after all. When Cai Ye was the governor of Yunnan, what was Jiang Baili doing? And it is precisely because of the gap in actual combat experience that in the end, Cai Ye sat in the position of minister, and Jiang Baili was the deputy minister, which is also a decision that everyone agrees on.

However, even if Jiang Baili's qualifications are poor, everyone sitting here knows very well that this man is very powerful, so they don't underestimate him at all.

――――――――――――――――――――

Looking at Jiang Baili, Xu Shichang and the others all nodded their heads.

What Yan Shao just talked about was the problems after the Entente victory, but if it fails, then I'm afraid the problem will be a big problem.

After all, China's participation in the Entente camp is tantamount to standing on the opposite side of the Allies. In the past, although the relationship between China and Germany was not bad, as long as Yan Shao did so. Then the two countries will completely become hostile states.

If the winner of this war becomes the Allies, then I am afraid that China will be in great trouble.

It's just that when everyone was agreeing, no one noticed that although Jiang Baili said these words. But there was no hint of worry in his expression. It's not just him, it's even Cai Yi.

And after pondering for a while, Yan Shao sorted out the answers in his mind and said slowly.

"The question is actually very simple, first of all, the people who are doing this war are believed to be clear, not to mention whether the Germans can win or not, even if they can. I'm afraid that both sides will lose, and in the case of heavy losses, even if the Germans want to seek revenge on us, how many troops can they send? So that's not a cause for concern. ”

"Moreover, the distance between China and Germany is extremely long. Even if the Germans are really so reluctant, with such a long logistics line, we only need to send some submarines out to make the Germans miserable. The German troops who came to China were left without logistical supplies. I'm afraid it's also a meat bun beating a dog, and there is no return. ”

"Finally, and most importantly, the Entente will undoubtedly win this war..."When he said this, Yan Shao's tone was full of confidence, but listening to Yan Shao's words, the people present seemed a little surprised, and they didn't know where Yan Shao's confidence came from.

Seeing that the people present seemed to be a little disbelieving, Yan Shao smiled and spoke.

"Don't forget. The countries that have been on the table in this war have basically stood in line. Even us, don't we have a very good relationship with France, and there is only one country left that has not yet taken sides..."

In any case, everyone knows the close relationship between the Nationalist government and France, and Yan Shao is not taboo at all.

Hearing Yan Shao's words, the eyes of Li Liang and Gu Weijun flickered.

"You mean?" After half a ring, Gu Weijun spoke. "Americans?"

After all, they are engaged in diplomacy, Gu Weijun's reaction is extremely fast, compared to Duan Qirui, their reaction is worse, after all, they are old-fashioned figures, they know China very well, and they are a little unclear about foreign countries, although they can still figure it out in the end, but I am afraid that the reaction will be a little slow.

"It's unlikely..."With Gu Weijun's reminder, he finally reacted, and Xu Shichang said with some hesitation. The Americans have always been neutral, and this time it is the same, so it is unlikely that they will be on the side of the Entente..."

With Xu Shichang opening his mouth, almost everyone present nodded, and only a few people such as Cai Ye and Jiang Baili showed thoughtful expressions.

Smiling, Yan Shao explained. "This is actually very easy to explain, let me ask you a few questions, which is the most powerful, the British navy or the German navy?"

"Who is encircling whom in Britain and Germany at the moment?"

"The two camps of the Entente and the Allies, who currently has the most transactions with the United States."

All three questions are easy to answer, if not at all.

However, the next question made everyone present stunned.

“……… If the Entente fails, will the United States, as the largest trading nation, lose all its money? After speaking, Yan Shao didn't speak anymore, just sat there and let everyone think.

And Li Liang and the others also showed contemplative expressions at this moment.

――――――――――――――――――――

When it comes to sea power, this era is certainly the strongest in Britain. The German High Seas Fleet, although also strong, was far behind the British fleet.

In this case, it is natural that Britain will blockade Germany, after all, it cannot be Germany blockade Britain. If this were the case, the Germans would not have sent submarines to attack Britain―――――― precisely because there were very few German freighters at sea, so although the submarine technology was similar, the German submarine force was so dazzling, and the British submarine force, although it could not be said to be obscure, was always known for being good and wonderful...

Similarly, it was precisely because the Entente blocked the maritime trade of the Central Powers that the Entente countries now had the largest volume of trade with the United States. Especially after the war has begun, Britain has even begun to owe the United States some money, which may not seem like a lot now, but if the war continues, it will soon become a very terrible figure.

When that time comes, if the Entente really loses in the end, then it will be like what Yan Shao said just now. Americans are going to lose all their money. So even if it is for their own interests, the Americans will eventually pull Britain―――――― but Britain owes the United States hundreds of millions of pounds in history, equivalent to billions of silver dollars. Such a large sum of money is unbearable even for the United States.

As for why Yan Shao is clear? Because the history books say so, of course.

However, the people present did not know this, and they looked at Yan Shao in great surprise, while Cai Yi and Jiang Baili nodded with satisfaction, because they found that Yan Shao wanted to get involved in this war not because of impulse, but because he had indeed thought it through.

What's more, Yan Shao is a little less, that is, China...

Of course. The United States is indeed a very strong character, but at this time, China can be called pivotal, even if it is not as important as the United States. The Entente and the Central Powers were inherently inseparable. If China were to stand in the camp of the Entente at this time, the victory of the Entente could not be said to be nine out of ten, but I am afraid it would be about the same, not to mention that there was also the United States behind.

――――――――――――――――――――――

Although Yan Shao has already explained. It was also felt that the Entente was indeed very sure of victory. But even so, everyone present was still a little resistant to this. Because Yan Shao just said that he does not intend to be just a supporting country this time, but intends to let China join this war as a participating country.

If it's just a supporting country, maybe everyone here won't have any problems, but the participating countries, this makes people hesitate, after all. It was to send an expeditionary force to fight in Europe.

So although it is no longer as resistant as it was at the beginning, there is still opposition. And the first to stand up was Song Jiaoren.

"At a time when the government needs to concentrate its efforts on developing the country, is it not a time to send troops to Europe to participate in the wars of the great powers, and to ask for trouble? What's more, the situation in the European theater is very complicated, and the battlefield is extremely bloody, if we send people over, what will our soldiers do? Is it necessary to make them sacrifice themselves for some trivial benefit? ”

Song Jiaoren's words won the approval of everyone.

"That's right, there is absolutely no need for us to shed blood for the benefit of the Great Powers..."

Glancing at Song Jiaoren, Li Liang also nodded. Although he supports Yan Shao in many things, in this matter, he is on the opposite side of Yan Shao. But he didn't think there was anything wrong with it, after all, he didn't sit in this position just to be Yan Shao's echo worm.

Seeing that everyone present did not agree with his thoughts, Yan Shao shook his head helplessly.

"Sure enough, I'm still going to take out a trump card..."

When he said this, Yan Shao was somewhat reluctant in his heart.

However, after looking up at the crowd, he knew that he might be able to force them to agree to his idea, but in that case, the consequences would be too great. The best way is to win the approval of everyone, only in this way will the matter of sending troops become smooth, and this requires him to expose some of his true purposes first.

You don't need much, you just need to get people to support you.

So after hesitating for a while, Yan Shao spoke. "Actually, in addition to the above reasons, I have a purpose for sending troops this time..."

"For what purpose?" Glancing at Yan Shao, Fu Xiuming was a little strange. He has been with Yan Shao for many years, and he knows very well how ridiculous the first three reasons are, at least with Yan Shao's character, he will never want to send troops for these three reasons, so there must be other reasons in it, so he is really curious.

In fact, it was not just others, everyone else also looked at it, including even Song Jiaoren.

Seriously, at this time, Song Jiaoren was still very satisfied with his position. Although he actually prefers the cabinet system that he has always admired, making the country republic, and has some complaints about the current autocratic nature of the national government. However, he has always been very satisfied with Yan Shao's arrangement to arrest corruption in the Ministry of Integrity, and at the same time, he also feels that Yan Shao is broad-minded, after all, not everyone can tolerate people from other parties arresting corrupt officials in the Ministry of Integrity―――――― especially when most of those corrupt officials are members of the National Socialist Party.

Therefore, he was curious about what Yan Shao's reason was.

Seeing that everyone's eyes were focused, Yan Shao asked to clear his throat, and said after half a sound. "First of all, I would like to say that I will ask the Entente to divide a piece of territory for our colony after the victory in the war..."

Hearing Yan Shao say this, everyone looked at each other. Then Li Liang spoke.

"Colony......... It's a good idea, and it does boost morale, but it's just a colony. It's not worth our troops..."

The others nodded, feeling that this was not the case for the sake of a colony.

However, no one thinks that Yan Shao will choose to send troops in order to get a colony, although if he can get a colony, it will definitely be a thing to boost the people's hearts, and it will also greatly encourage the morale of the people―――――― this is the first time that China has entered the account in nearly a hundred years, you must know that China has always been the one who ceded land and paid reparations in the past...

But if it's just for a colony. It doesn't seem necessary to do so.

However, Yan Shao ignored everyone and just continued.

"I want this colony because it has me. Or rather, something that the country needs..."

"But I need to state that the rest of the conversation will be classified as top secret, if anyone here really wants to hear it. Daily life is absolutely under the watchful eye of the Secret Service. And if someone here wants to reveal the content of this conversation, don't blame me for being ruthless..."

"It's not that I'm ruthless, it's that the content of this time is so important, so if anyone here wants to leave, they can just leave, but if they listen, then remember what I just said, no matter how loose your mouth is. Shut it all up for me, otherwise I won't be soft-hearted..."

It's not Yan Shao who scares people. It's really that this issue is too important, and it can't be leaked to the outside, so Yan Shao also has to say so.

And hearing Yan Shao say this, although it was a little strange, after glancing at each other, no one chose to leave in the end. Because they also want to know what actually made Yan Shao choose to get involved in this war, instead of being a spectator on the sidelines―――――― others are left alone, but Li Liang and the others know very well that Yan Shao has always hoped that the Entente and the Allied countries can fight together.

Now that Yan Shao intends to participate in this war, they naturally want to know what the reason is.

And...

Closely monitored by the Secret Service? Hasn't the Secret Service already started to monitor them, this has long been an open secret in the national government, and there is really nothing to hide.

So after a minute, no one left the room.

And after looking at everyone, Yan Shao also nodded with satisfaction.

"Well, since no one has left, then I'll be blunt, this time I want to ask Britain for two places, Iraq, and ......... Kuwait..."

"I wanted these two places because they were next to each other and had an important resource that I needed..."

"Oil..."

――――――――――――――――――――

"Oil?" Hearing Yan Shao say this, everyone was stunned.

For this kind of resource that is gradually becoming popular, the people here are not particularly unfamiliar, but...

"That's right." Yan Shao nodded. "Oil."

"At present, there are not many places in the country that produce oil, I believe everyone knows very well, the same way, the characteristics of oil determine that it will become the main energy source of the world in the future, so oil is definitely an extremely important resource..."

"I'm sure everyone here knows very well that although I made a living by writing novels, it was the filament that was invented in the United States and found in Tampico, Mexico......... Oil..."

"With the oil I found in Tampico, I was able to run such a big business in China, otherwise, maybe I would still be just an idler enjoying life abroad with my daughter-in-law in my arms..."

"But the president...", he glanced at Yan Shao hesitantly, and Liang Shiyi spoke. How can you be sure that there is oil there? ”

"Because I've been there, you should know that I've found oil in Mexico, and when I was in Iraq and Kuwait, I also found signs of oil there, and from what I've observed, there's definitely no less oil reserves there than in Mexico, and if we can have those two places, at least for the next few decades, the government won't have to worry about finances anymore..."

Speaking of this, Yan Shao was also slightly excited.

How much oil is in Iraq and Kuwait does not need to be repeated by Yan Shao. The most important thing is that during this period, although oil has been discovered in the Middle East, it is still an oil wasteland in the eyes of the world, and even that bit of oil was found in Iran...

The best thing is that Iraq and Kuwait are next to each other, and if Yan Shao can get his hands on these two places, then there is no need to say what the result will be. As Yan Shao said, there is no need to worry about finances for at least the next few decades.

And after listening to Yan Shao's reasoning, Liang Shiyi and the others also understood why Yan Shao wanted to join this war, and even more understood why Yan Shao would say just now that anyone who knew about this matter would be closely monitored, and as long as there was the slightest hint of disclosure, Yan Shao would not be soft-hearted.

It can't be helped, because this matter is so important, even important that it may affect the fate of China. And if it is known that there is oil in Iraq, it is obvious that there will definitely be no share of China, so this matter must be careful.

At the same time, since the issue of colonies is involved, the supporting countries will definitely not work, which is why Yan Shao has to ask China to join the Entente camp as a belligerent country.

"Of course, there may be no oil in Iraq and Kuwait, and it is also possible that I am mistaken..."Seeing that everyone was silent, Yan Shao smiled and continued. But even if it's only half a chance, I'm going to gamble because the rewards after winning the lottery are so big..." (To be continued......)