Chapter 633 The Talent of Miyazaki (please vote for me)
.<
"From a French perspective, it is in France's best interest to weaken Germany."
"France and Germany are neighboring countries. They are France's biggest and most direct threat on the European continent. They are also France's strongest rival in the fight for European hegemony."
Hyōtaro Imamura was talking eloquently. He looked at Kentaro Miyazaki and said, "Kentaro, these comprehensive factors I mentioned can ultimately be summed up in one sentence. Please tell me."
Cheng Qianfan looked thoughtful.
"The French felt the strength of Germany during the European War." He said, paused, and showed a hesitant expression. "Teacher, my feeling is that the French were afraid of Germany, so France tried every means to weaken Germany.
"
After the end of the European War, the French not only demanded sky-high prices for reparations from the Germans, but also carved up Germany's overseas colonies, seized Alsace and Lorraine industrial bases, and controlled Germany's Saarland Industrial Zone.
In addition, France also proposed various restrictions on Germany to prevent Germany from rising again.
Even so, the French are still worried.
France even joined forces with Belgium to openly dispatch troops to occupy the Ruhr Industrial Zone in Germany, which caused the situation in Europe to suddenly become tense and the Germans almost revolted.
"It's just——" Cheng Qianfan frowned.
"Just what?" Hyōtaro Imamura asked.
"It's just that the teacher said just now that France is not afraid of Germany, they are probably buying time." Cheng Qianfan said.
"From the perspective of the European War, although France is the victor, they were indeed frightened by the Germans' fighting power. Your point of view is right." Hyoutaro Imamura said, and he motioned Kentaro Miyazaki to sit down and listen to the lecture.
', "In other words, this fear can be understood as jealousy."
He took a sip of tea and continued, "However, this fear does not mean that France dare not declare war on Germany because of fear."
Having said this, Imamura Hyoutarou frowned slightly, and then his expression returned to normal, "Let's talk about Yingjili."
"From the British perspective, although the British are also very fearful and worried about Germany, it should be noted that there is a change here -" Imamura Hyōtaro smiled slightly, "the British are also worried about the French."
He looked at Kentaro Miyazaki, "Kentaro, I remember I once told you this. Please answer me, what is the foreign policy of Britain?"
"Britain..." Cheng Qianfan thought for a while, "Britain is far away from the European continent. They are most worried about a unified European continent, or they do not want to see a unilaterally powerful country on the European continent."
He saw Hyotaro Imamura's tea bottoming out, and got up and stepped forward to help add water, "Therefore, the British have been pursuing a continental balance of power policy on the European continent and have been trying to maintain the balance of the major forces on the European continent."
"That's right." Hyōtaro Imamura nodded with satisfaction, "If Germany is weakened too much, it will inevitably cause France to dominate the European continent, which will pose a new threat to Britain. At the same time, Britain is unwilling to lose the huge market of Germany.
Therefore, the British are unwilling to weaken Germany too much."
It was precisely because of this position that at the Paris Peace Conference that year, French Prime Minister Clemenceau insisted on assigning Germany's Saar Basin to France, but Britain clearly expressed its opposition.
British Prime Minister Lloyd George had a famous remark: You can deprive Germany of its colonies, reduce its army, and even reduce its navy to the status of a fifth-class country.
We are firmly opposed to ceding the German people from German rule to other countries beyond what is necessary.
"As for the Americans." Hyōtaro Imamura showed a hint of sarcasm, but there was a hint of solemnity in this sarcasm.
"Americans only have interests in their eyes. They have a clear attitude and do not want Germany to be weakened too much." He looked at Kentaro Miyazaki, "For this, Kentaro, you are good at business and you should be able to understand the reason best."
"I know, I know." Cheng Qianfan said happily and with interest, "Britain and France owed a huge debt to the Americans in the European War, and they needed the German war reparations to repay this debt. It is precisely because of the
existence, the United States does not agree to excessively weaken Germany."
Cheng Qianfan raised the corners of his mouth with a look of pride, "In Chinese terms, if the tenant farmers are dead, there will be no one left to farm the land for the landlords."
Hyōtaro Imamura laughed loudly and pointed at Kentaro Miyazaki.
This student of mine has a natural talent for business, or in other words, money.
"Yes, if Germany is weakened too much, the Germans will not be able to repay their debts, and the United States' money will be wasted." Hyoutaro Imamura said, "At the same time, the Americans hope to use Germany to contain Britain and France, and use Germany to
Enter the European market and participate in various European economic and political affairs."
"I understand." Cheng Qianfan nodded, "So the United States actually united with the British, and they jointly opposed France's proposal to excessively weaken Germany."
There was a look of reverence in his eyes, "I remembered that the teacher told me about the Ruhr crisis."
In order to force France to make concessions, the United States and Britain used various means.
During the Ruhr crisis, the United States and Britain directly dumped France's huge overseas treasury bonds and stocks, causing France to almost go bankrupt. France had no choice but to withdraw from the Ruhr.
"Kentaro, you must have discernment and be able to look at the relations between these countries with a wise eye." Imamura Hyoutaro said with a serious expression, "You have seen that the United States and Britain oppose France to weaken Germany. At the same time, you must also see that Britain and France also
United against the United States because they do not want the United States to interfere in European affairs."
"In fact, the attitude of the United States, Britain and France towards Germany is actually a multi-party game between the three countries' interests in the European continent and the overseas colonies of the European powers." Hyoutaro Imamura said solemnly.
"Students have learned a lesson." Cheng Qianfan bowed respectfully to Imamura Hyoutarou and thanked him.
Some of what Imamura told today was something he already knew, and some was something he seemed to have understood before, but he didn't really see through it. Now that Imamura Hyoutarou's serious lectures, he felt quite enlightened.
Therefore, Cheng Qianfan’s bow to Imamura Hyoutarou was sincere.
To be honest, Imamura Hyoutarou was very attentive to his teachings. For three years, Cheng Qianfan studied seriously with Imamura Hyoutarou, especially international history, analysis of the international current situation, and the "Empire of Japan's" policy towards China since the Meiji Restoration.
The changes and the reasons behind them, etc., he absorbed enough nutrient knowledge.
The most important thing is that Cheng Qianfan has been trained to look at problems from a broad perspective as a qualified and even excellent diplomat. Of course, in his daily student life, he will deliberately hide his clumsiness when needed.
It can be said that with Cheng Qianfan’s current rich and substantial knowledge reserve, extraordinary vision, and international perspective, he is fully qualified to be an outstanding diplomat in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (PS1)
"Teacher, you just said that France would not dare to declare war on Germany because it is afraid of the Germans." Cheng Qianfan asked cautiously, "I noticed that you don't seem to be sure."
"You boy, you observe carefully." Imamura Hyōtaro said with a smile. He would not blame Miyazaki Kentaro for observing his expression secretly. On the contrary, Imamura Hyōtaro would feel satisfied, which shows that he, as a student, respects him very much.
, cautiously, for fear of making him unhappy.
"There will be no problem if France declares war on Germany. The French have no shortage of courage to declare war." Hyōtaro Imamura said, shaking his head, "It's just that I previously thought that although the French were afraid of Germany, this was just a
Based on my pre-war thinking, after the war officially begins, the French army's combat effectiveness will still be good, but I suddenly have a feeling that it will be difficult for the French to win this war."
"Teacher, are you saying that the French will lose the war?" Cheng Qianfan asked in surprise.
This is not an act. France is the strongest country in Europe. This is recognized and is the result of the European War.
"Losing the war?" Imamura Hyoutarou frowned and thought, "With France's military and national strength, it is difficult to lose the war."
He shook his head, "However, winning is not easy, and it may lead to a stalemate."
He told Kentaro Miyazaki, "The stalemate I am talking about may not be limited to the Polish battlefield and the French-German border."
"Maginot Line? The teacher said it was the Maginot Line." Cheng Qianfan was stunned, "Pete often showed off the Maginot Line to me. He said that once France and Germany went to war again, the Germans would bump heads in front of the Maginot Line.
Blood flowed, and even corpses littered the fields."
"That's the crux of the problem." Hyōtaro Imamura smiled slightly, "According to what you said, Peter is a very proud French soldier. Even such a person thinks that the Maginot Line is the pride of the French military.
"
"Do you know what this Maginot Line of defense means, which the French are proud of?" asked Hyotarō Imamura.
"It means that the French are already prepared." Cheng Qianfan said.
"This line of defense means that France has completely given up attacking Germany." Hyoutaro Imamura said, "Because this line of defense is to prevent German invasion, it means that France knows that Germany will attack itself sooner or later, and it has already been preparing."
"Doesn't this mean that the French are preparing for a rainy day..." Cheng Qianfan said, and then he himself fell into deep thought.
Hyōtaro Imamura smiled and did not disturb his student's thoughts.
Cheng Qianfan raised his head with a look of "understanding" and said, "Teacher, I understand. The French only have the courage to defend and no longer have the courage to attack."
He said to Imamura Hyotarō, "You cannot win by just defending, so the teacher said it would be difficult for France to win."
Hyōtaro Imamura nodded slightly, showing an expression of satisfaction that said, "You are a teachable boy."
At this moment, the phone on Hyoutaro Imamura's desk rang.
Hyōtaro Imamura glanced at Kentaro Miyazaki.
Cheng Qianfan then stepped forward and picked up the phone receiver, "This is Counselor Imamura's residence."
"Your Excellency, Consul General." Cheng Qianfan had a solemn expression, stood with his feet together, lowered his head, and leaned forward, in a standard posture of respectfully listening to the instructions on the other end of the phone.
"Hai!"
Saying that, Cheng Qianfan bowed slightly and handed the phone receiver to Imamura Hyoutarou with both hands, "Teacher, this is the phone number of His Excellency the Consul General."
Hyōtaro Imamura answered the phone, "Sir, it's me."
If Iwai Eiichi personally called Imamura Hyoutarou so late, there must be something extremely important.
Therefore, he did not choose to leave.
Although this was an instant decision, it was not a risky trial, but a trial with a safe bottom line.
As expected, Hyōtaro Imamura just glanced at him and seemed quite satisfied with his respectful attitude.
He didn't wave his hand to signal him to leave.
Cheng Qianfan knew that his bet on this performance was right:
He was respectful and respectful to Imamura Hyoutarou, and even more intimate with him.
Now facing Eiichi Iwai's call, he showed a strong sense of respect. This does not mean that he does not respect Imamura and only wants to please Eiichi Iwai. He showed this subconscious respect for Iwai in front of Imamura Hyoutarou.
This is in line with the normality of Japanese society with strict hierarchies, and this just shows how precious his closeness to Hyoutarou Imamura out of his heartfelt respect is.
Putting down the phone, Hyōtaro Imamura glanced at Kentaro Miyazaki, "Britain and France have decided to declare war on Germany tomorrow."
Cheng Qianfan nodded first, then frowned, showing surprise and thought.
"You can see that this is unusual." Hyōtaro Imamura nodded with satisfaction.
"Teacher." Cheng Qianfan nodded and said, "Britain and France decided to declare war on Germany tomorrow, but we actually found out tonight?"
"Tony Cathaway had a phone call with Mr. Iwai and informed him of the British government's decision." Hyoutarou Imamura said calmly, with a hint of sarcasm involuntarily revealed on his lips.
Cheng Qianfan knew that Tony Kessaway was the chief executive of Jardine Matheson and a director of the Public Settlement Bureau of Industry. Although he was a businessman, the Iwai Mansion had long suspected that he was serving the British government.
"The British government wants to declare war on Germany, why do they want to go through a businessman from the Far East..." Cheng Qianfan said.
Suddenly, he looked thoughtful, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but there was also some uncertainty and hesitation.
"What have you thought of?" Imamura Hyoutarou smiled, "Speak boldly, it doesn't matter if you are wrong."
"Britain and France are not hoping that through us they will 'secretly' reveal to the Germans the news that they are preparing to declare war on Germany tomorrow?" Cheng Qianfan looked at Imamura Hyoutarou and said in an uncertain tone.
"Why is it impossible?" Imamura Hyōtaro smiled, and he patted his student's shoulder, "Kentaro, I'm very pleased. My expectations for you have lived up to my expectations. You have the potential to become an outstanding diplomat."
With that said, he patted Kentaro Miyazaki on the shoulder again, "It's just that you have to have more confidence in yourself in the future and don't hesitate."
"Yes!" Cheng Qianfan said quickly, with joy, gratitude, and respect in his eyes, "Kentaro was originally stubborn and dull, but his progress today is due to the teacher's good teaching."
Imamura Hyoutaro laughed loudly. He took a sip of tea and looked at Kentaro Miyazaki expectantly, "What do you think about this matter?"
PS: Please subscribe, ask for rewards, ask for monthly votes, and ask for recommendation votes, thank you.
Please give me some monthly tickets (please hold your fists) PS1: You may think that the content taught by Imamura seems to be of average level and very simple, because everyone knows it - in fact, the knowledge that everyone knows now is historians and political science.
It was summarized by strategists, military strategists, and economists, written down, and used as teaching materials, and the ways to obtain information now were beyond the reach of people at that time.
