The war in Europe spread and expanded, and the mighty French Army was defeated on all fronts a few weeks later, and soon after the Germans occupied Paris, France soon after.

After sweeping away the obstacles of the French Army, the German army swept through the Western European continent with a devastating force, and finally drove hundreds of thousands of British and French elites into the sea. Germany launched a sustained bombing campaign against Britain. Since then, the world has begun to change significantly.

The Anglo-French rout affected not only Europe, but also the British and French colonies in Asia.

The British and French colonies in Asia can be said to encompass all the Chinese estuary, from the Indochina Peninsula to the Philippines, all of which are too closely related to China.

After the establishment of Free France, the French ambassador to Nanjing submitted a relevant statement to the Nanjing government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hoping to continue to maintain diplomatic relations with the Nanjing government, and at the same time, General de Gaulle, the leader of the Free France, also conveyed to China through the British side his desire for the Nanjing government to break off diplomatic relations with Vichy France, and also sent a letter from de Gaulle.

At first, these Europeans were not optimistic about China, and some even did not care about it, but it was not until Nazi Germany launched the war and Germany, Italy and Japan signed a treaty of alliance that people suddenly remembered the China that had been fighting with Japan for more than three years.

China, the ancient country of the East, had dragged the Japanese army into their quagmire of war, and the total number of Japanese troops in China had exceeded one million, but they still did not bring China to its knees.

As a result, European and American countries began to pay attention to China.

Faced with the two handwritten letters in front of the table, Huang Ke was unable to choose for a while.

He immediately called an emergency meeting to discuss what to do next. As a witness to history, he was naturally aware of the fate of Vichy France.

It is undeniable that the Free France led by Charles de Gaulle should be the last legitimate government, and they will eventually win the war and win it, but for the time being, Free France is still in its embryonic state. Not to mention how many countries would recognize de Gaulle's legitimacy, the French colonies near China were all at the behest of the Vichy government.

In other words, Free France was an empty shell that could not give him any practical support.

In the long run, diplomatic relations with Free France were inevitable.

Weighing the two, Huang Ke had difficulty making up his mind for a while.

The meeting was attended mainly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Industrial Construction Committee, and of course some think tanks of the Supreme Government Staff Council. Because it involves foreign affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs naturally has to intervene, and the Industrial Construction Committee has taken into account some of the situation of the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway in Vietnam.

People came on time, Foreign Minister Gu Weijun and Huang Qimin of the Industrial Construction Commission had already arrived early, and other think tanks also came early.

After Huang Ke arrived, he said hello to everyone and sat down in the middle of the rostrum, and he asked people to send out the materials and said, "Everyone take a look at the materials." Someone from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has just reported that the new Government of France has asked us to restore relations with them in the same way as they did with the previous Government, and at the same time to promote the former Minister to the post of Ambassador. However, I also received a personal letter from General de Gaulle, who was in exile in England, in which he advised me not to recognize the status of the Vichy government. That's the way it is, everyone is saying what they think. ”

After Huang Ke finished speaking, he leaned back, watching everyone's reactions from time to time.

No one answered for half a ring, and Huang Ke knocked on the table: "Let's talk about it." Let's analyze the pros and cons from their own perspectives. ”

After saying this, it was Gu Weijun who took the lead in breaking this quiet situation: "We are basically in a state of severance of diplomatic relations with Germany now, and this alliance between Germany, Italy, and Japan is not good for us. The Vichy government was now basically a puppet of Germany, and its attitude towards establishing diplomatic relations with them depended mainly on Germany's intentions. ”

"Yes, Wei Jun is right." Huang Ke nodded and said, "The attitude of the Vichy government depends largely on Hitler. Our relationship with Germany is very stiff now, and I don't think there is any need to maintain this relationship any longer. ”

"It is absolutely impossible to break off diplomatic relations with the current French government." It was Huang Qimin of the Industrial Construction Committee who spoke, he stroked the glasses on his face, and said to everyone seriously: "Now the Yunnan-Vietnam Highway is still under the control of the French, and our internal relocation work is still going on, and many industries will be transferred from Hong Kong to Vietnam, and then to the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway to Kunming." If we break off diplomatic relations with the Vichy government now, it will not only have a great adverse impact on our internal relocation work, but also affect the situation of the next war of resistance. ”

"Yes, from a military point of view, the Yunnan-Vietnam Highway is now also a security hazard for our country." A man in military uniform frowned and said: "The management of the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway from Hanoi to Kunming is in the hands of the French, if there is an alliance between Germany and Japan, or if the Japanese army attacks Vietnam, then along the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway in the future, attacking the southwest hinterland will put our country under great threat." ”

Huang Ke turned his gaze to Huang Qimin of the Industrial Construction Committee on the side and said: "Qimin, I heard that you are familiar with every railway in the country, can you tell me about the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway?" ”

Huang Qimin smiled and said, "In vain!" It's just that people from outside are making fun of me. ”

"You don't have to be modest, let's talk about the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway." Huang Ke snorted.

Huang Qimin said seriously: "The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway was built in the last years of the Qing Dynasty and is divided into two sections, north and south. The southern section is in Vietnam, called the Vietnamese section, with a total length of 389 kilometers; The northern section is in China, from Lao Kai across the Red River into the estuary, actually Bisezhai to Kunming, called the Yunnan section, with a total length of 469 kilometers. The Yunnan section of the project is far more arduous than the crossing section, with 425 bridges, some of which are close to the tunnel at both ends, and are adjacent to the deep stream; There are 155 tunnels, accounting for 36% of the total length of the Yunnan section. ”

Speaking of this, Huang Qimin said with emotion: "When the French built the northern section of the railway, they recruited a large number of Chinese people, because of the steep section of the road and insufficient protection, when the northern section of the railway was built, countless Chinese workers died here, and this section of the road is also called the blood line. ”

After listening to Huang Qimin's words, Huang Ke made a reflection and had to admit that Japan would definitely enter Vietnam in the future, and it would be impossible for the Vichy government to confront them for the sake of China. The importance of Vietnam's geographical location is also self-evident, and how to take the initiative to take the lead now seems to be a very important matter.

Others are reasonable, if diplomatic relations are established with the Vichy government, it is obvious that they will gain advantages on the Yunnan-Burma railway, but in the long run, these are disadvantages.

After thinking for a while, Gu Weijun suggested: "The importance of the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is self-evident, we might as well put in touch with the Free France for the time being, and not issue a statement in support of the Vichy government, and then wait for the opportunity to make a decision when the time comes." Diplomacy, isn't that. ”

Huang Ke smiled, Gu Weijun is a master of diplomacy, and his suggestion is not bad.

"Wei Jun is right, but we can't rely entirely on the Vichy government for the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway. At present, we need to rely on the entire line of Yunnan-Vietnam Railway for transfer, and we can't get too stiff with them. Saying that, Huang Ke turned to Huang Qimin again and asked, "Qimin, how long will it take to complete the transfer to Vietnam now?" ”

Huang Qimin calculated and said, "It will take at least six months." ”

"Six months, that's half a year." Huang Ke nodded and continued: "In this way, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has contacted the Free France and the Vichy government to persuade them to return the management of the northern section of the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway to us. ”

After Huang Ke finished speaking, he knocked on the table again and said, "Wei Jun, the comrades of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should pay attention to their attitude when they go to negotiate. ”

Gu Weijun nodded: "Okay, I will instruct the negotiator to pay attention to politeness and tone." ”

Huang Ke smiled slightly, shook his head and said, "No, it's the opposite. I mean, when you are in contact with the French, you have to be tough about the repossession of the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway. What is there to fear from a government that has died? Could it be that they still sent an expeditionary force? At this time, if we do not take back the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway, there will be no good opportunities in the future. By the way, there is also the issue of the French Concession, which must be discussed. Talk to the British to see if they can take back Hong Kong in advance. ”

"This ......" Gu Weijun looked a little embarrassed, obviously, the emaciated camel is bigger than the horse, although Britain is now at war with Germany, but its strength is still not to be underestimated, it is still relatively difficult to return to Hong Kong from their mouths.

"Don't be in a hurry, you can test it first and see the attitude of the British. Besides, sooner or later, Hong Kong will have to be taken back. After Huang Ke finished speaking, he raised his hand and looked at his watch and said: "There is a person named Li Bensan under Bai Chongxi, who fights fiercely, but he is violent, I look back and let him talk about this matter with the French." Okay, it's not too early, let's adjourn. After you go back, everyone will draw up a draft and come back to me. ”

According to Huang Ke, China was initially vague about both the Vichy government and Free France, and secretly contacted both sides to negotiate the Yunnan-Vietnam railway. The Vichy government was initially reluctant to hand over jurisdiction over the Chinese section of the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway, but this became obscured as China became more assertive.

A year later, the Chinese government declared its support for Free France and did not recognize Vichy France as its legitimate government. After hearing this, General de Gaulle also wrote a special letter to Huang Ke himself, expressing his gratitude to the Chinese people for their support to France.

A year and a half later, Li Bensan, the general of the Gui army, led his troops into Vietnam by the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway and occupied Saigon and other places before the Japanese army.