There is no doubt that arms are the most profitable commodity in the world, and the global arms trade has been in full swing year after year, and has always ranked among the top three in the world in bulk trade. Visit to download TXT//

Sun Yuanqi now not only has to feed the hundreds of thousands of soldiers under his command, but also has to feed the uncles in Beiyang and officials of all sizes across the country. Although since the southern expedition to Hunan, Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Fujian, the southwestern provinces have taken the initiative to surrender money; After Yuan Shikai drove the crane to the west, the original Beiyang jurisdiction of Zhilu, Henan, Anhui and the three eastern provinces also acquiesced to the central orthodox status, and now the whole country has completely restored the territorial pattern of the middle and late Qing Dynasty except for a few provinces and regions such as Outer Mongolia and Taiwan, but I don't know whether it is due to the frequent military operations in recent years that have caused great damage to production, or the governments at all levels have been exploiting and withholding, and the amount of taxes paid is far less than that of the pre-Qing Dynasty.

On this issue, Sun Yuanqi once ordered the Minister of Finance, Meng Zhao, to question some provinces with large gaps, but it attracted a lot of tears and tears: what is the former Qing ** excessive taxes and miscellaneous taxes, and the republican government should be sympathetic to the people's feelings; In recent years, there have been many disasters such as floods, droughts, soldiers, locusts, etc., which have led to the displacement of people, the desolation of land and fields, and so on. What's more, the central government has also asked the central government to exempt the whole country from taxes for several years, following the example of the western provinces! was so angry that Meng Zhao often slapped the table in the Ministry of Finance and scolded his mother.

Fortunately, since last year, China's exports to European countries have risen sharply, which has not only led to a blowout increase in tariffs, but also led to the rapid development of domestic light and heavy industries, which has barely kept the central government from running out of cooking. Even so, in order to prepare for the war in Shandong, Sun Yuanqi inevitably turned his private into a public and took out funds and dividends from his own enterprises to invest in weapons production and material procurement. The so-called "when the cannon goes off, the gold is ten thousand taels". Although medicine, clothing, automobiles, food, media, etc. are all long-lasting money-making businesses, they cannot support such a large-scale blood sucking as Sun Yuanqi.

In line with the principle of "making up for losses in the wall", Sun Yuanqi naturally thought of the arms trade, anyway, he had a few eye-catching good things in his hands, and there was no shortage of wealthy buyers in the world. Of course, Sun Yuanqi's so-called "appropriate help" obviously does not refer to the help of the apprentices who starved to death of the master, but is ready to change the appearance of the products that have been eliminated and backward in the development process. Sell it as freshly baked fragrant dumplings at a good price to subsidize the family.

Despite this, he almost didn't let Hahausen get a snot bubble, and immediately said: "As long as the help given by your country can play a positive role in China's national defense construction, we will try our best to meet all the conditions put forward by your excellency, including the immediate return of the Jiaoao area." I just don't know what your help means? ”

Sun Yuanqi said: "Including but not limited to the research and development data of the Kirin combat vehicle and the design drawings of the new bomber. I wonder if your country is interested? ”

"Of course I am!" Hahausen replied categorically. However, in addition to the surprise, he was a little suspicious: Sun Yuanqi was still pushing 625 before, turning a blind eye to all kinds of goodwill shown by Germany, why did he suddenly change his personality now? Could it be that there is some untold conspiracy in it? Or is there something China is facing that needs to be solved urgently? At that moment, he asked tentatively, "I don't know what your conditions are?" ”

Sun Yuanqi was obviously prepared for this: "If I can, I want to exchange for your country's submarine manufacturing technology, and the rest is best settled in cash or gold." ”

Since the British government promulgated the coinage regulations in 86, the gold standard has gradually been widely adopted by the capitalist powers in Europe and the United States. By the late 9th century. The gold standard has become an international norm. By the end of 93, the United States, Britain, Germany, France, and Russia accounted for two-thirds of the world's gold stocks, while China's gold reserves were few, which also led to China's increasingly dwarfed position in the world. With the outbreak of the next war imminent, gold is being used by European and American countries to buy arms, which is the best time for China to take the opportunity to absorb gold.

Hahausen was a little strange: "Why didn't Your Excellency mention the return of Jiaoao?" ”

Sun Yuan said with a smile: "Now the Jiaoao region is a pity for your country to eat no meat, if your country really intends to maintain good trade relations with China." Think of it as a header to the trade talks. What do you think, Your Excellency? ”

Hahausen cautiously replied: "The stakes are so high that I am afraid that we will need to consult our government in the future before we can make a final decision!" ”

Sun Yuanqi said: "There is no rush in this matter, just sign the agreement before the end of July, and you can discuss the specific details in private with our Ministry of Foreign Affairs." After thinking about it, Sun Yuanqi said again: "As a partner, Sun privately sent three suggestions to your country: First, there is a famous saying in ancient China: 'Although the country is big. Warlike will die; Although the world is safe, forgetting the war will be dangerous. 'Although your army dominates the European continent, it may be short of manpower, so if war breaks out. It is advisable for your country to end the war wisely at the right time; Instead of stalking until the last defeat!

"Second, your country's greatest adversary in Europe should be Great Britain, because they have a navy and a strong war potential that Germany cannot match, and if possible, your country should use submarines to destroy all kinds of British military and civilian ships, so as to fundamentally limit Britain's influence on the situation on the mainland. The third and most important point is to note that the United States, despite its now heavily indebted debtor country, and despite the current President Wilson's staunch Monroe Doctrine and his public declaration of neutrality in disputes between European countries, has the world's most powerful war potential. If it turns into a war machine in the future, it will not be something that a broken Europe can stop! ”

Seeing that Sun Yuanqi said sincerely, Hahausen also reciprocated: "Thank you for your advice, and I will faithfully convey your suggestions to our government as soon as possible." In addition, I will facilitate the Planck family's recent academic visit to your country's Jingshi University as soon as possible. It's just that frankly speaking, I'm afraid it will be difficult for your suggestion to attract the attention of our ** side. ”

Speaking of this, Hahausen was a little dejected: "Our current chief of the General Staff, Helmut? Feng? Mr. Moltke (little Moltke), neither in character nor in ability, can be compared with his great uncle, Mr. Moltke the Elder, and even less than the former Chief of the General Staff, Alfred? Feng? Marshal Schlieffen, who lived only under the patronage of a great surname, was promoted by virtue of his birth as a military attaché to His Majesty's chamberlain.

"What's worse is that he knows that he has a weak personality and mediocre talents, and he is completely unworthy of being the chief of the general staff. So whether sitting in an office chair or in the saddle of a cavalryman, he lacked enough confidence, so what he was best at was conformism, especially since his predecessor was the brilliant Field Marshal Schlieffen. I am just an ordinary, unappreciated diplomat, and it is naturally difficult for him to approve and adopt the documents I present. ”

Sun Yuanqi deeply felt the same way: just like he tried his best to persuade Sun Yat-sen and Yuan Shikai at the beginning, the speaker spoke sincerely, and the listener nodded again and again, but in the end, they were not stubbornly embarking on their own road of no return? At the moment, he can only comfort Hahausen and say: "These three suggestions are all Sun's life opinions, and the reason is shallow, and it may not be correct, so it is naturally difficult to enter the eyes of Chief of Staff Moltke." Your Excellency, Minister, don't worry too much! ”

Hahausen struggled to pull himself together: "The key now is to get a trade deal between our two countries as quickly as possible, because the situation in Europe is already very tense and could spiral out of control and trigger a violent military conflict at any time." And the military equipment provided by your country will play an important role in improving the combat effectiveness of our army, of course, the premise is to equip the army as soon as possible! When I get back, I'll report back to China quickly and then start negotiations on that. We hope that before and after the agreement is reached, we will keep it as secret as possible, so that this move does not become an incentive to upset the military balance in Europe. ”

Sun Yuanqi deeply agreed with this: "That's natural, I don't think we have the capital to provoke the anger of the British Empire now!" ”

After sending Hahausen away, Sun Yuanqi pondered alone in the house for a long time. Although he had already made up his mind in his heart, in addition to repelling the coveting of China and Shandong and Outer Mongolia by Japan and Russia in World War I, he only wanted to find the right and right sources at the right time, transport all kinds of strategic materials produced domestically to the belligerents in Europe, set up huge gold reserves, and further enhance the domestic economic, military, and industrial strength. They do not want to claim hegemony or occupy the territory of other countries, so as not to lay the seeds for the future development of the country and the nation. Therefore, at least until 97 years, China must maintain basic neutrality and appropriately play the role of soy sauce and passerby, so as not to get into trouble.

However, some things must be done carefully and seamlessly, because even though it is a fight between immortals, mortals sometimes don't even have a chance to watch and pick up leaks. Maybe with a look from the gods, the ants will be wiped out. Moreover, the war will end sooner or later, and if some things are done too obviously, and they do not stand on the side of the victor afterwards, and they still lack the strength to protect themselves, they will certainly not be able to escape the counteroffensive after the war.

Fortunately, it is not the only country that is engaged in the act of financing the enemy under the banner of neutrality, such as the neighbor Japan in the east, and the United States, which is the best at this path. If neutral countries that dump arms also form an alliance, wouldn't it be a big ship to face the storm? To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to the starting point to vote for recommendation and monthly passes, and your support is my biggest motivation. For mobile phone users, please go to read. )

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