March 1, 1920.

In the grand conference hall of the chairman of the Nanjing National Government, there were already a lot of people sitting there. Everyone was talking in a low voice. The people present included cabinet members of the National Government, concentrated legislation, heads of the Senate House, leaders of the Kuomintang and GCD, and some senior generals with straight military uniforms.

Government officials of the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, as well as generals of the National Defense Forces who have not had a clear party position, sat together. However, on this occasion, these colleagues who had good relationships on weekdays did not show a very harmonious atmosphere, and everyone only whispered in their own circles.

The discussion focused on two aspects: the direction of heavy industry development and the years of training. These two issues are the focus of the discussion at this meeting. These two issues have attracted the attention of the whole country and even the world. This can be seen from the Chinese and foreign journalists gathered in the auditorium of the Chairman's Office. China's unification and the victory of the Chinese National Defense Force in the war against the Soviet Union have made the whole world realize that China is at least a regional power. As for whether this country will become a member of the world's top power in the next ten or twenty years, and the direction of China's development after its rise, some clues should be seen from the results of this meeting?

As for some well-informed people, they have long learned about the consultations conducted by the National Government and the National Defense Forces on these two issues in recent times, as well as the positions and attitudes of all parties. They also noticed a very interesting phenomenon. Although the current National Government claims to be a joint party between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, the positions of the Kuomintang and the Communist Party are very vague on these two issues. Or the two aspects that have different opinions are not divided by parties.

In the direction of heavy industry development, the National Defense Forces showed signs of a naval dispute. The Navy seemed to regard Japan as an imaginary enemy and hoped to form a large navy that was enough to compete with the Japanese Navy. Therefore, the layout of heavy industry should revolve around naval construction. The Army's view is naturally contrary to this. The Army emphasized China's status as a mainland country and advocated the establishment of a powerful army that was sufficient to fight against Japan and the Soviet Union in terms of quantity and quality at the same time.

Although the current Chinese team has not shown its intention to expand externally, the international powers still paid attention to the "sea and land dispute" between China Team. European and American politicians all believe that behind the sea and land dispute between China Team is the expansion direction of the entire country! In this era, no one believes that a powerful country will not expand externally! The focus on developing a navy or an army is the embodiment of China's future expansion direction. If China is preparing to expand south, it will inevitably establish a strong navy. Confronting Japan or other things is just an excuse to establish a large navy. On the contrary, if China's expansion direction is in the west and north directions, then what China needs is a powerful army.

The attitudes of Britain, the United States and France have also become rare in agreement. What Britain and France are most worried about now is the Soviet Union's red roller! Due to the failure of Poland in Belarus and Ukraine, the plan to use a large Poland to block the Soviet Union was completely failed. Although the Soviet Union expressed its willingness to negotiate with Poland after regaining Western Ukraine and Western Belarus, it also did not launch a new attack on the west. However, the politicians of Britain and France will not be blinded by the Soviet Union's illusion of "peace-loving" illusion. This Russian bear has always been extremely warlike and will put its claws into the heart of Europe whenever there is a chance!

Now Poland has proven that it is not Russia's opponent, and Germany has been ruined by Britain and France. The German army with a mere 100,000 people may not even be able to fight a slightly larger battle! But a re-armed German Empire is enough to stop the Soviet Union's advance westward, but it is also a big concern for Britain and France. Therefore, both Britain and France now hope that China and Japan can play the role of restraining the Soviet Union, which means that both China and Japan should invest their main military expenditures to the army.

What the United States is worried about now is not the Soviet Union. It is the powerful Japan turning their main power to the navy! The failure of a rising China and the Japanese army in its expansion to Xianbeilia has been blocked by American politicians. Japan's expansion space on the mainland has been blocked. Therefore, Japan will inevitably turn its attention to the sea! After having the Far East state with abundant resources, the bottleneck that restricts Japan's heavy industry development has disappeared. In the time imaginable in the future, Japan is likely to build a powerful fleet with the strength of the US Navy! Unless there is any force to turn it on.

Our attention was pulled back from the sea to the mainland, and China seemed to be like this! A China with a strong army should drool at the resource-rich Far East state? Although that land of nearly 400,000 square kilometers is not large for China with more than 10 million square kilometers of territory. However, the richness and convenient transportation there are not comparable to Mongolia, Xinjiang or **. More importantly, that land belongs to China in history! It was Russia who took advantage of China's weakest time to force the Qing government to cede it! Now that China is becoming stronger, of course, should consider regaining lost territory.

So during this period, the diplomats, expert groups, and members of the military advisory group sent by the US government to China have all told Chinese officials openly and secretly that the United States understands China's requirements for abolishing all unequal treaties! Of course, it also includes abolishing the unequal treaties for cede territorial cedes. The two U.S. consultants who serve in the Chinese Navy also seized the opportunity to promote the German wolf pack tactics to the Chinese naval generals. They believed that the Chinese navy was too far behind Japan, and it was very difficult to seize sea control through surface ships. The only feasible tactic is to vigorously develop submarines. Use the battle to break the maritime traffic lines of Japan and stifle the potential of Japan's war.

Although this method is vicious and effective, the top leaders of the Chinese Navy who were still in the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895 were still keen on battleships that were expensive, mighty on the outside but not very useful. Chang Ruiqing, the head of the Chinese Defense Forces, has never expressed any opinions on this dispute between the sea and the land, and I don’t know if he did not make the final decision. He still wanted to be more open-minded. Finally, he decided to hold a meeting attended by the National Government, the National Defense Forces and the top leaders of the Kuomintang and the Communist Party to discuss the development direction of the country’s heavy industry (in fact, it is to resolve the dispute between the sea and the land).

However, the "sea and land dispute" within the National Defense Forces is not the hottest topic in China recently, nor is it the most concerned issue for the Chinese people (mainly the business, the intellectual and young people). What they are most concerned about now is China's constitutional path and when will Chang Ruiqing, the dictator behind the scenes, come to the forefront and serve as president or prime minister of the responsible cabinet.

In the National Government and the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, two completely different opinions have emerged. One is to maintain the current tutoring system until the time is ripe before entering the constitutional era; the other is to implement constitutionalism as soon as possible, and Chang Ruiqing becomes president or prime minister to lead the entire country.

The former view is mainly the ruling faction of the Kuomintang and the Communist Party in the current National Government; while the latter view is mainly the upper-level leaders of the Kuomintang and the Communist Party who are undermined or have little real power, as well as some people from the business and intellectual circles. In China, where the two parties are jointly ruled, there seem to be two factions, "in North Korea" and "opposition" factions.

The international community expressed its greatest expectation for China's democratic constitutionalism. It believed that this is the only way for China to truly become a civilized country, and it is also the guarantee for the country to maintain stability and sustainable development. Of course, this is all superficial statement. In fact, politicians from Britain, the United States, France and other countries all know that China is currently implementing a national socialist system, which is similar to the route taken before the German Empire. Such a route is certainly a powerful medicine for a strong country. However, it is also very easy to create a centralized ruler. This centralized ruler is obviously a

Chang Ruiqing is no longer aware of him as a hidden dictator like Bismarck who seems to be iron-blooded but actually takes a moderate route, or a war madman like William II! So it is best to promote China to embark on the path of democratic constitutionalism as soon as possible... Everyone knows that a democratic capitalist or democratic socialist China will not have the potential for war like a country's socialist China... As long as this country can restrain the Soviet Union or Japan, it is enough. Civilized countries such as these are not wanting to see Napoleon's prophecy come true!

There was a disturbance in the conference hall. Everyone stood up. Then they saw Hu Hanmin wearing a civil uniform of the National Government - an ugly gown and a suit Chen Duxiu walked in together. The chairman of the two parties were whispering while walking. Seeing everyone standing up to greet each other, they hurriedly smiled and greeted everyone. Then they walked over to Jiang JShi and Li Dazhao who came to the venue early. After Mao and Zhou E came to work in the northwest, they both assumed the responsibility of the flag bearer of China's democracy. The newspaper saw Li Da every now and then.

Zhao published an article on democracy and constitutionalism, while Jiang JShi was busy with "persuading" and "China Democratic Promotion Association" - as his national hero, he supported Chang Ruiqing as the president again, and Chang Ruiqing didn't know what to do with him for a while. It's hard to punish others for such a thing, right? There are many people under Chang Ruiqing who support him now, but who are not completely consistent with his own ideas. Jiang JShi seems to be one of them! What's more, on Chang Ruiqing's blacklist, Jiang JShi is not the first person...

The four people shook hands and greeted each other. Jiang JShi held Hu Hanmin's hand and said with a smile: "Zhan Gong, Mr. Zhang Ji of our Democratic Promotion Association recently proposed a responsible cabinet system plan, which can be formed by a bipartisan cooperation. The Prime Minister asked Chang Yaoru to be the one who is the president, and Mr. Zhongfu was the deputy."

Li Dazhao, who was standing aside, also smiled and echoed: "Our country has finally shown signs of rising, and now we should consider the issue of long-term stability... The world's advanced countries are either democratic constitutional states or dictatorial rule that integrates the party and the state, without an inconsistent intermediate state like us. The Bolshevik-style dictatorship is obviously not in line with our national conditions, so it is the general trend to realize democratic constitutionalism as soon as possible."

Hu Hanmin and Chen Duxiu looked at each other, and their faces showed a heart-warming expression. To be honest, China's current political system is indeed a bit inconsistent. Chang Ruiqing relies on the National Defense Force to control the major policies, but he is unwilling to jump to the front desk directly... I don't know what the idea is? The two of them were placed in front as the chairman and prime ministers. Although Guan'er was so big that he had, how much power he had and how much responsibility he had to bear. It was really difficult to explain clearly, so he was reluctant to do things. It was better to let Chang Ruiqing be the prime minister of the responsible cabinet. They were so arrogant that they didn't have to bear any responsibility and had enough style of presidents and vice presidents.

However, Chang Ruiqing has not made any statement yet. It is best for them to not be too troublesome, even if they agree in their hearts, they cannot say it. Hu Hanmin smiled and said, "Democracy and constitutionalism are of course the general trend, but it cannot be achieved in one step. This is what the Prime Minister wants first!"

Chen Duxiu simply changed the topic and asked Jiang jshi seriously: "Brother jshi. What do you think about the key issues of the development of heavy industry? Should my country's heavy industry be built around the Navy or the Continental Army?"

Jiang JShi glanced at Li Dazhao beside him. They were allies in democracy and constitutionalism, but there were obvious differences in foreign relations. Jiang JShi is now pro-American, so he advocated focusing on the development of the army, with the Soviet Union's Far East, Japan's Far East and North Korea as the main development direction. The navy mainly focused on submarines and small and medium-sized ships, and went to the path of near-sea defense and submarine breaking diplomatic relations. However, Li Dazhao advocated joint liberating all mankind in the future with the Soviet Union. For this lofty ideal, China should build a powerful naval fleet... But since they are all leaders of the China Democratic Promotion Association, they still require common ground while reserving differences.

Jiang JShi smiled slightly and lowered his voice and said, "I think both navy and land are very important. As a mainland country, China also has a long coastline. Therefore, we cannot ignore the construction of coastal defense. My opinion should be to pay equal importance to sea and land."

Do you value both sea and land? Can it be done? Chen Duxiu said in his heart: "Cheng Chiang is not in power now, so of course he is unwilling to offend others. But Chang Ruiqing finally has to choose between sea and land, and most of them are taking the path of the mainland army."

In fact, the State Council has made some estimates of the investment in the development of the army and the development of the navy in the past few days, and found that the investment in the establishment of a large navy is really scary! If we want to build a navy with a tonnage of 300,000 tons of main ships and a total tonnage of 2 million tons, it will take at least tens of billions of Chinese yuan! This is based on the willingness of Western countries to export key equipment and technologies! If all technologies and key equipment have to be developed by themselves, the investment will probably be too much to calculate.

In contrast, it is much cheaper to build an army. It is just cannons, rifles, machine guns and cannon fodder. France and the United States have exported production technology and related equipment for small and medium caliber howitzer cannons to China. China** Industrial Group and the Ministry of Military Affairs have also recruited many engineers from Belarus' metallurgical military industry. There is no problem in digesting these not-so-advanced technologies. As for rifles, machine guns, etc., China has already been able to produce in large quantities, and cannon fodder is almost unlimited! Therefore, the development of the mainland army has little pressure on finance, which should be a relatively reasonable route. Of course, it is worth considering who to use it to deal with in the future.

Just as Chen Duxiu was thinking, a roll call sounded outside the door: "Captain of the Standing Committee of the Military Commission!" Everyone's eyes turned to the door, and they saw Chang Ruiqing strode in with a smile, accompanied by his new deputy general Zheng Zhongyuan. He kept nodding to everyone. However, he rarely did not wear military uniforms today, but dressed like Hu Hanmin, wearing a civilian uniform in a long robe and jacket. It seemed to be implying that he was considering being the president or responsible Prime Minister of the Cabinet.

Chen Duxiu nodded to Jiang JShi, Hu Hanmin and Li Dazhao beside him, then strode forward, and shook hands with Chang Ruiqing with a smile: "Yaoru, this is the first time our country has truly decided on major policies through democratic consultation, and there are many praises at home and abroad. Everyone thinks that this is the beginning of China's constitutional path. Even if we cannot implement constitutionalism in a short period of time, such democratic consultation should still be adopted frequently."

Chang Ruiqing smiled and patted Chen Duxiu's hand: "Prime Minister, this is also my idea. Even during the tutoring period, the government should listen more to opinions from all parties. It cannot be decided by a few people behind closed doors and hold a small meeting. I, the chairman of the Military Commission, can't be a dictator... We must never adopt the system of concentrating state power on a few people or even one person. I, Chang Ruiqing, dare not be a dictator, nor can I be such a person. My ideal is to put the country on a normal track of development, and have a system that can ensure economic development and allow all classes to share the fruits of economic growth fairly. If such a goal can be achieved, Chang will be able to retire with confidence, do some social theory research work, and spend more time with his family. Chang believes that he cannot take on the burden of the president or the responsible cabinet prime minister."

Chang Ruiqing seemed to be a heartfelt truth. Chen Duxiu just nodded politely, but didn't believe a word. He guessed that Chang Ruiqing's words might be a hint to reject the "support" of the China Democratic Promotion Association, and at the same time he refused to implement democratic constitutionalism immediately?
Chapter completed!