Chapter 8 German Depression

On July 24th of the ninth year of the Empire, in the afternoon, Nanjing, Zijin Mountain.

In the conference room of the Royal Courtyard, the important ministers of the second cabinet of the Chinese Empire sat around the long table. At this time, the emperor's dragon chair was still empty. The dragon chair may be the only thing left of the Chinese Empire's inheritance of the previous system, but the dragon chair made of pear wood is extremely simple, which is nothing more than two engraved on both sides of the back of the back of the chair. Panlong, other than that, there seems to be no "royal spirit". To some extent, this is also a characteristic of modern China, advocating simplicity.

Yuan Shikai, who sits in the first place, occasionally looks at others. When he looks at Cao Weiran, the undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he is just happy in his heart. That Liang Dunyan, in order to make Cao Weiran "top up", even adopts this way of asking him to go to the cabinet meeting.

Oh!

People!

With a sigh, Yuan Shikai wisely chose to half close his eyes, and he looked calm. In fact, only after he became the prime minister could he have the opportunity to calm down. When he became the governor of North Korea, he did not worry about the assassination of those Korean sticks all the time, and even hid in the army for a time. In the barracks.

But in the end, relying on piles of heads, tens of thousands of people were exiled. North Korea finally settled down, but at that time, he also understood that North Korea could not stay any longer. The first to kill and hold power, and the second to be Xuanfu people, which was an unchanging means to open up the territory.

Five years ago, after Zhang Xiang's death, Guan Mingtang temporarily served as the prime minister for nearly four years. Originally, he thought that the prime minister did not have his own part, but he never thought... The world is always like this. He turned his eyes to Guan Mingtang. This time, he was also the Minister of the Exchequer, the chairman of the National Planning Commission and the Chairman of the National Assets Committee gathered important positions in China. The important minister is undoubtedly deeply trusted by His Majesty. He is only 50 years old, but he looks like Zhang Xiang a few years ago, which really makes people... It's not bad to be idle!

"Your Majesty is here!"

"Welcome, Your Majesty!"

Like others, Yuan Shikai quickly stood up to salute, but unlike Guan Mingtang and others on the opposite side who needed to turn around, he was facing the direction of His Majesty's coming in.

"Lords, please sit down!"

Entering the conference room, Chen Moran stretched out his hand slightly after sitting down first. After everyone sat down, he directly cut into the topic.

"I heard that Austria-Hungary has issued an ultimatum to Serbia! Cao Qing!"

Turn his eyes to Cao Weiran. Chen Moran knew that the undersecretary of foreign affairs was the candidate for the foreign minister recommended by Liang Dunyan, so he had no objection to this, but... Cao Weiran quickly got up and half bowed to make a report.

"...Yesterday, Austria issued an ultimatum to Serbia with the unconditional support of Germany, including the arrest of the murderer, the suppression of anti-Austrian activities and the recall of anti-Austrian officials. According to the newly received information, all the countries in Serbia agreed except those involved in internal affairs..."

A glimpse of Cao Weiran, Chen Moran did not regard this young man as Liang Dunyan's heir. For China now, he still needs Liang Dunyan. The young man in front of him needs to be honed to take on the big responsibility. Before that, if Liang Dunyan withdraws from the next cabinet, he has a A more suitable person is elected as the foreign minister, and more importantly, Cao Weiran's "German flavor" and strong.

As an ambassador to Germany, in the past few years, this means that he may serve as an important member of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, because Germany is China's first diplomatic country and ally, but now it is different. A foreign minister with a strong "German flavor" is not in the interests of China, at least Temporary interests.

So once Liang Dunyan withdraws from the next cabinet, it is necessary for a person who has experience as an ambassador to the United Kingdom or the United States to elect a foreign minister, which is the need of the situation.

When reporting, Cao Weiran observed His Majesty from time to time. Personally, he had a heartfelt respect and worship for His Majesty. As a firm royalist, he was convinced that as long as His Majesty still holds the power of the country, China will continue to become strong step by step. As for the so-called Mingzhu. As the faction or the republican faction said, the road of militarism advocated by His Majesty will be brilliant but like a meteor, which will eventually lead to the destruction of China. However, Cao Weiran is convinced that the fate and future of this country are not only maintained by your Majesty, but also on the strong military strength. Because of this, it is almost After he became the vice-secretary of foreign affairs, he took on the responsibility of the negotiations to reject the renewal of the memorandum of understanding between the Chinese and the U.S. Navy. It can be said that he is an iron-blooded faction in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Because of this, Cao Weiran has always believed that what he chose is exactly what His Majesty expected.

"Yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received a secret letter from German Ambassador Yan Huiqing. Germany hopes that China can make an appropriate statement in the future. At the same time, Ambassador Yan Huiqing urges China to pass the renewal of the contract as soon as possible!"

Listening to Cao Weiran's words, Chen Moran just flicked the armrest with his finger, and then replied to Cao Weiran casually.

"Don't worry about him. The Germans now want to pull us into the water and increase their bargaining chips for victory. Yan Huiqing, you drag it first and tell him that China is a clear country, and everything in the country needs to be decided by the parliament. After the parliament makes a decision, the political axe will naturally comply with the resolution of the parliament!"

When it comes to the Congress, Chen Muran raised the corners of his mouth slightly. To some extent, the Congress is the most perfect excuse to shirk international affairs. The Congress does not approve and the Congress does not agree. This is the starting point for China to shirk international responsibilities or things in the past few years. Countries have long been used to it. Now it's not a big deal to carry it out again. Of!

Nodded, and Cao Weiran put away the document. He knew that His Majesty's decision could not be changed.

"Your Majesty, in addition, British Ambassador Jurdian said that Britain does not oppose the renewal of the contract between China and Germany to a limited extent!"

"Oh? The British are not kind-hearted, so don't pay attention to it for the time being!"

After a word, Chen Moran turned to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Guan Mingtang.

"Zhexian, how is the sales of our treasury bonds in Europe and the United States?"

Now is the last time to issue treasury bonds. Only by seizing this opportunity to issue more bonds can China import more machinery and equipment. Only in this way can China use the "gift" of World War I to strive for China to complete the transformation from a creditor country to a debtor country, but the most important thing is to strengthen the country's overall industrial industry. Use the God-given opportunity of World War I to double the power of industry.

"According to the approval of Congress, it is planned to issue 300 million US dollars and 50 million pounds of bonds in the United States and the United Kingdom today, because China's bond interest rates are relatively favorable, and domestic industry is developing rapidly. Observers in New York reported that China's public bond market on the New York Stock Exchange is bullish. The original loan amount was 200 million, but now the subscription amount has reached 185 million US dollars. The London public bond market is also bullish. At present, the subscription has reached 31 million pounds. However, the sales of China's public bonds in Germany and France are not ideal. On the French Stock Exchange, only half of the first batch of 520 million francs have been sold so far, to..."

"So, you don't have to worry about the current industrial construction funds in the short term?"

Since the armistice, China has borrowed billions of Huayuan every year. Now China has more than 7 billion Huayuan in debt. Although the increase in foreign debt makes China have to pay huge interest every year, the rapid development of industry and transportation has benefited the whole country.

"Yes, 7,865 enterprises under the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission have completed the tasks assigned by the State Planning Commission last year, and the profits in the first half of the year have been handed over to the state treasury..."

Listening to the numbers one by one, Chen Moran smiled. This may be the benefit of the planned economy. It can highly and effectively concentrate manpower, material resources and talents for key construction, and concentrate limited funds to develop key industries. In the past few years, the reason why China's industrial economy has been able to develop rapidly is that Benefit from this.

"...In short, sufficient capital reserves can ensure the annual progress of 186 key projects this year..."

When he spit out the last sentence, Guan Mingtang even took a heavy breath. The person in charge of the three busiest departments in China is a huge pressure for anyone. It can be said to challenge the maximum potential of human energy. The Ministry of Finance is responsible for raising funds, the State Planning Commission is responsible for planning the national industrial plan, and state-owned assets. The committee also controls all the state-owned enterprises, and Guan Mingtang, who is under heavy burdens, sometimes can't breathe.

"Zheqin,"

Looking at Guan Mingtang, Chen Moran felt a trace of guilt in his heart. The reason why he chose Guan Mingtang to control the three most important departments in China is that there are no other suitable candidates. Although the planned economy is good, it must be controlled within a reasonable range, otherwise the consequences will be disaster. Now China implements the country. The main body of the planning industry is the political axe, but there is a large amount of private capital involved, and controlling this range requires a person who understands the market economy. Guan Mingtang is the best candidate. There is really no one else except him.

"Although you have a heavy responsibility, don't overwork. Pay attention to rest in the future!"

"Thank you for your concern!"

When Guan Mingtang saluted, Chen Moran was wondering whether he should be given a rest, but he asked Liu Guanxiong again.

"Where is the training fleet sent by the navy recently?"

"This... According to the Navy's training plan this year, the Navy currently has four ocean-going training fleets at sea, carrying out routine maritime training in the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean and the South China Sea."

After a moment of meditation, Liu Guanxiong looked at His Majesty and said.

"The training fleet is equipped with enough ammunition. If there is an emergency, the training fleet should be enough to carry out emergency operations. However, out of caution, I hope your majesty can allow the navy to enter the state of readiness."

Perhaps he was afraid that His Majesty didn't know much about the reason, he added.

"My [***] force is the weakest naval force. Entering the state of combat readiness as soon as possible is conducive to preventing the sudden deterioration of the situation."

Liu Guanxiong's words made Cai E frown.

"I take the liberty to ask, if the navy enters combat readiness now, it will not cause misunderstandings from other countries. If I remember correctly, you have always opposed military forces entering combat readiness!"

Seeing Cai E mention the past, Liu Guanxiong pressed the table and replied softly.

"This is not the case. Besides, in fact, because our navy's strength is limited, even if it enters a state of combat readiness, it is reasonable. And before that, the navy will coordinate with Britain, France, the United States and Germany in order to get the understanding of the four countries. For the navy, at least Before, our task was..."

When he spoke, Liu Guanxiong turned his eyes to His Majesty. The task assigned by His Majesty before is now in progress, but all of this is done to avoid the army. There are too many German [***] advisers in the army. Any intelligence error may lead to the failure of the plan. Therefore, even if it is straight Up to now, he still plays according to His Majesty's request!

"Enter the combat readiness?"

For a moment of meditation, Chen Muran raised his eyes to look at Liu Guanxiong.

"This is acceptable, but what about the direction of the German Far East Navy now?"

The German Far East Fleet is a German fleet stationed in Qingdao. Although three years ago, Germany agreed to return Qingdao to China, and the corresponding Britain also returned Weihaiwei to China, and both countries retained the right to use the port. Especially for Germany, Qingdao is the only one that Germany can use freely in the Far East. Unlike the British navy, which rarely enters Liugong Island, the German Far East Fleet is stationed in Qingdao.

"There is no movement at present, but a piece of intelligence collected by the Naval Intelligence Department shows that the sales of white coal in Qingdao have increased in recent days, and it is not ruled out that Spee's fleet is preparing to burn..."

With his head down, Chen Moran said in a low voice.

"China has only been restored for ten years. We want to rise forward, with the determination to be the first, and develop the national strength at all costs. Then now the great powers are staring at the world. We must not deal with it easily... Is there any possibility of further strengthening of the navy in the near future?"

At this time, Liu Guanxiong quickly turned over the large stack of paper on the table and agreed after a while.

"The strength of our navy will not change much by the end of this year, but it has been built. The Eighth Fleet is enough to make our navy the best in the West, and no country dares to ignore our naval strength. On the side of the Allies, the Japanese navy currently has six light cruisers and six armored cruisers. Since China's navy expanded its maritime armaments, Japan has newly completed one armored cruiser, two cruisers, four destroyers and ten torpedo boats. These new ships can all form combat effectiveness by February next year. If China wants to strengthen its maritime strength, we might as well..."

After Liu Guanxiong finished speaking, Chen Moran frowned slightly.

"I see... It's not the time to use the power of the Japanese navy. It's better to rely on others than to rely on yourself. The naval power must maintain an absolute advantage of 10 to 1. This is a basic, and we must not let the Japanese power expand the sea!"

When he said this, Chen Moran had to admire the original in his heart. He had quickly recovered. When he chose to use the planned economic development of himself, he was carrying a huge extra debt and eager to restore his own economy and industry. After seeing the results of the planned economy, he sent people After studying in China for a year, he promoted a more radical planned economy than China. His approach is more familiar and more... Anyway, the current economic scale situation is far better than any other period in history.

Japanese book, Japanese book... With the same thoughts, Chen Moran turned his eyes to Cai E.

"Songpo, I heard that the army is going to send three divisions to Hokkaido for winter training, right?"

"Yes...Yes, Your Majesty!"

Although the army did not have such a plan at all, Cai E instantly understood His Majesty's meaning and just wanted Japan to spend tens of millions more military expenses.

Seeing that Cai E understood what he meant, Chen Moran looked at it, but saw that Yuan Shikai stood up at this time.

"Your Majesty, at this special time, please make it clear how our country should deal with this situation!"

Before His Majesty could speak, Yuan Shikai could continue to add.

"If our resolution is neutral, then naturally there will be no worries, but if our country decides to participate in the war, no matter where you join, please make an order as soon as possible. Although the army and navy mobilization and combat readiness are rapid, China's economy and industry must also make corresponding preparations to prepare for the needs of war!"

"Mobilize the economy and industry?"

Yuan Shikai's words made Chen Moran laugh suddenly.

"Does our economy and industry need to be mobilized?"

"No need!"

In the German embassy of the Nanjing embassy area, in the face of the ambassador's question, Silkoro, the head of the German advisory group of the Chinese National Planning Commission, said almost without thinking.

"The so-called wartime mobilization, in addition to the army, the most important thing is industrial mobilization. Only fully mobilized industry can meet the combat needs of confiscated and mobilized military forces. For any country, compared with military mobilization, this kind of industrial mobilization is long and chaotic, but this situation is not It exists in China!"

Stand up and Silkov got up again and drew a few lines on a piece of cardboard.

"Compared with the chaotic and scattered industrial economy of various countries, China has already included basic life and even consumption into the planning management. Its economic foundation manages enterprises and labor force. According to relevant Chinese laws, even private enterprises must obey the needs of the country in special periods, but a war broke out. To some extent, its enterprises will break away from the guidance of market profits and produce in accordance with the requirements of the political axe. In China, the political axe has a dominant role in the economy, the economy is subject to the political will of the country, and the state's control of the industrial economy, so that China only needs one notice, and all enterprises in the country will be included in the wartime. In this regard, the National Planning Commission has already had a detailed wartime industrial plan, which corresponds to its military strength and is adjusted every year. The only thing they need is a telegram, and then the safe is opened, and local industries can complete the transformation from peacetime to wartime within 48 hours. Industrial mobilization, it can be said that..."

For a moment of meditation, Silkov said in a very serious tone.

"Perhaps China's industrial power is far inferior to Germany, but once it mobilizes in wartime, its productivity will never be inferior to Germany..."

Although he was a little surprised, Yan Huiqing still did not have any doubts. Five years after he came to this country, he witnessed the changes of China, which is implementing a special economic model, in just five years. Now even if someone says that China is the country with the world's military potential, he will not doubt it. After all, The state-owned population of 470 million and large-scale industrial forces are here.

"So, if China joins the treaty camp, what kind of impact will it have on Germany?"

Since China handed over the renewal of the Sino-German alliance to the National Assembly for discussion, both Yan Huiqing and Berlin have more or less understood that this means that to some extent, China is unwilling to continue signing the contract. Now it is just delaying time, and now they have successfully delayed the expiration of the treaty.

This reality forced Yan Huiqing to consider the possibility of China joining the Anglo-French-Russian camp.

"The question is, will China join the Ally?"

Is it Marx sent by the Military Advisory Group in China? Deputy leader Bauer, he came to China as early as nine years ago. It can be said that he is a Chinese thong, at least a [***] thong.

"For China, due to the problems of Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories, the contradictions with the United Kingdom are essentially in an irreconcilable state. Personally, I personally think that even if the alliance treaty expires and China refuses to renew the contract, China is more inclined to maintain a certain degree of neutrality than for the British and the French. "Blood!"

It seems to be to emphasize your own point of view, Marx? Bauer stressed again.

"The emperor of China is a pragmatist. He is never willing to see war for Europeans and weaken his own strength. On the contrary, he is willing to see wars break out in European countries, so as to achieve the goal of weakening European countries. Only in this way can China have an advantage in the future."

"That's why we have to think about this problem,..."

There are some hidden worries and some helplessness in Yan Huiqing's words.

"China has got what it needs from Germany, so... Now, they no longer need Germany! However, if Germany cannot break out a war with Russia or even France because of the Ose conflict, then China's attitude will become extremely important. Only China's intervention can quickly end the war without plunging the whole of Europe into war!"

"So, Sir, do you think this war will be inevitable?"

"Avoid it?"

When asking questions, Yan Huiqing shook his head and said.

"We don't know what will happen in the future, but as diplomats, what we need to serve is the interests of Germany. As far as the interests of Germany is concerned, we must pull China into the chariot as much as possible, instead of allowing China to remain neutral?"

"In China, their army tends to form an alliance with Germany, but the navy tends to remain neutral and even the Allies. Therefore, the possibility of China's involvement in the war is very small. At least their army and navy have not reached an agreement on this until today!"

"You ignored a problem!"

Yan Huiqing shook her head and couldn't say depressedly.

"Maybe there will be such a contradiction in China's army and navy, but in China, it is the emperor who makes the final decision. If the emperor makes a decision, then the army or navy can only obey!"

(to be continued)