Episode 136 Talk of the Secret Room

In the imperial study, Zhu Yourong invited Xiang Xiaoqiang in, and told him hesitantly about the discussion of the cabinet meeting in the morning.

"Some ministers' worries are not unreasonable," Zhu Yourong said with a sad face, "On the one hand, we are constantly getting a steady stream of benefits from Germany, technology, equipment, and military training...... On the other hand, the Soviet Union was in the north of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, and as long as he transferred a few divisions from the Far East, the Manchu Emperor would dare to transfer a large number of Qing troops from the north to the Yangtze River defense line, which would put tremendous pressure on us...... In short, nothing came out of the discussion in the morning...... What do you think? ”

Xiang Xiaoqiang was a little surprised:

"'As long as the Soviet Union transfers a few divisions from the Far East, then the Manchu Emperor will dare to transfer a large number of Qing troops from the north to the Yangtze River defense line', Your Majesty, who told you this?"

Zhu Yourong thought for a while, and didn't say that this was said by the Foreign Secretary, but just said:

"Hmm...... I can't remember exactly who said that, but there are a few ministers who think so...... What do you think? ”

Xiang Xiaoqiang stood up, took two steps, and said:

"Your Majesty, on what assumptions do they base themselves on when they say this?"

"What?"

"That is to say," Xiang Xiaoqiang returned to sit down, stared at Zhu Yourong and asked, "to what extent do they assume that we support the Spanish right?" To provoke the Soviet Union to withdraw troops from the Far East and use the Qing army to put pressure on us? ”

Zhu Yourong understood and said:

"Oh, this, we didn't talk about it. Let's just say that if we supported the right, the Soviet Union could have been, and if we had supported the left, Germany would have been. ”

Xiang Xiaoqiang shook his head and said:

"Your Majesty, the ministers have had a meeting all morning, how can you not talk about this? If we don't talk about this, what about Germany and the Soviet Union? ”

Zhu Yourong also understood what he meant, and was a little embarrassed, so he didn't speak, just looked at him.

Xiang Xiaoqiang says:

"Well, since the ministers haven't talked to you about this issue, I'll talk to you. If we ride the wall, that is, to maintain neutrality, and do not support either side, this Soviet Union will definitely have no opinion, right? ”

Zhu Yourong thought for a moment and nodded.

Xiang Xiaoqiang continued:

"The USSR had no opinion, but Germany certainly did. Why? Because after all, we did not have any alliance with the Soviet Union, nor did we have any economic and technical partnerships. But Germany is different. We entered into a partnership with Germany just a few months ago at the economic, technological and even military levels...... Although Germany sent a 'volunteer corps', no one was stupid and knew that it was actually sent by the German government. …… In addition, after several months of close cooperation, the two countries have entered the 'honeymoon period'. Then, if the situation develops to the point where Germany and Italy feel the need for direct assistance, Germany has every reason to expect Daming to stand with them at this critical moment.

"Your Majesty, at this point, Germany and the USSR expect different things from us, not at the same level. We declared neutrality, which would have satisfied the Soviet Union, but would have disappointed Germany. Because for the USSR we were strangers, but for Germany we were good friends. Our cooperation with Germany is already so deep that if we were to be on the side of the Spanish left at this time, it would be very damaging to Deming's relations. There is no doubt about that. But if we ride the wall and maintain neutrality, Germany will not be happy. Because what they see is our indifference. And it was this same indifference that led us to choose to distance ourselves from Britain and draw closer to Germany. ”

Zhu Yourong lowered his head, stared at the tea in the cup, turned the tea cup thoughtfully, and asked:

"So, what do you mean, that we should support the Spanish right?"

"On the contrary, we should first express our support for the right wing, support the Spanish army to take over power and restore stability in the country, and make preparations to vigorously assist the right wing...... But secretly, we should secretly liaise with the Soviets and test it to see how much benefit we can get back by remaining neutral. ”

Zhu Yourong quickly raised his eyes to look at him, lowered his head again, turned the teacup, and at the same time rolled his eyes, and said:

"Oh!"

Xiang Xiaoqiang said slowly:

"What's in it? That's ...... The Soviet Union was asked to increase the garrison on the border in large numbers, so that a large number of elite troops of the Qing army would be transferred from the Yangtze River defense line in the south to the north...... Then, when we attack the Manchus, we will be able to ......"

Zhu Yourong didn't speak, just stared at his hands. After a while, she raised her head, looked at Xiang Xiaoqiang, and said hesitantly:

"So, our Ming should really attack the north?"

Xiang Xiaoqiang also stared at her, and said word by word:

"It's a great opportunity that hasn't been in hundreds of years...... And Your Majesty, don't you want to see the reunification of China in our generation? Don't you want your homeland to be reclaimed in your hands? ”

Xiang Xiaoqiang stared at Zhu Yourong for a moment, and then said:

"And, aren't we preparing for the Northern Expedition now? …… Half a year has passed since the end of the Ming and Qing wars, and we still maintain the state of wartime production. We are still constantly upgrading our armaments...... Not only the People's Guard, but the entire Ming army is actively upgrading its armament. Cars, tanks, airplanes, armored vehicles, submachine guns...... Every day, a large number of them are rolled off the assembly line and sent to the army...... This goes far beyond the traditional requirement of self-defense.

"Your Majesty, before the fortress exercise, I had talked with Zhang Zhaoxian and Tang Yunsheng, two marshals, about the idea of the Northern Expedition to the Manchus. Now that the exercise has been over for so long, although no one is talking about it publicly, I dare to say that the marshals and generals of the General Headquarters and the General Staff of the Army have accepted the view that the Ming Dynasty can and must go on a northern expedition...... Your Majesty, this time the army opened its mouth to an order of 35,000 military vehicles, which can explain this problem. Your Majesty, don't say that you think that these tens of thousands of military vehicles are all used for guarding against prisoners behind the Yangtze River defense line. ”

Zhu Yourong was speechless. After a moment, she nodded silently and said:

"It's a big question...... It's just that we said no, and it will definitely have to be discussed by the cabinet...... So at the moment, do you mean that we should first openly support the Spanish right-wing, but secretly make a test and negotiate terms with the Soviet Union? ”

"That's right."

"So...... We support the right, to what extent? ”

Xiang Xiaoqiang says:

"At the moment the Spanish Civil War has just begun, the situation is not very clear, and all countries are still waiting and watching. We don't have to be in a hurry, we can just like other countries and watch first. You can rest assured that within a week, neither Germany nor Italy nor the Soviet Union will make a clear statement and will not begin to help. They need to see the situation clearly. Because they don't know whether this civil war will soon subside, or whether it will last for a long time. Only in the latter will there be value in interfering between the two sides. When Germany feels the need to pull us, they will ask the ambassador to come to us on their own initiative. At that time, the Soviet Union will probably see the situation clearly. We will also be able to engage with the Soviet Union. ”

Zhu Yourong is still a little worried:

"If we do come to some kind of agreement with the Soviet Union, if we cut off support from Spain, won't it still be a blow to our relations with Germany? In that case......"

Xiang Xiaoqiang smiled:

"Your Majesty forgot? We don't have to help Franco, but our economic partnership with Germany is still there. The agreements signed earlier still have to be honored. Don't we have to send cargo ships to Germany every month, carrying grain, meat, ore, etc.? Your Majesty, what is the difference between Germany sending something to Spain, and we sending something to Germany? Could Hitler not have turned this corner? ”