The discussion at the imperial cabinet meeting was very intense. After Shen Rongxuan asked "What should we do?", he did not immediately express his opinions, but listened to the discussions of other ministers. According to convention, the discussions among ministers were not At the critical moment, Zhu Yourong didn't speak. She was just sitting at the end of the long conference table, quietly listening to the discussions of the ministers.
Because it was only one day before the Spanish army announced that it would take over power, a lot of information could not be sent back to the Ming Dynasty in time, resulting in many cabinet discussions based on speculation.
But one thing is very clear to everyone, that is, the current conflict in Spain is not between the left and the right, but between the two ideologies of fascism and Bolsheviks. To put it bluntly, the two great powers of the Soviet Union and Germany and Italy are in Spain. Competition.
The situation in Spain has been chaotic for more than a day or two, and many people have long predicted that a civil war may break out. Who is behind the left-wing and right-wing forces in Spain, and which countries they are from, can be seen clearly by all countries. What Chu. Shen Rongxuan said, "What should we do now" actually means:
First, whether to stay neutral or support a certain side.
Second, if you support a certain side, then which side do you support?
Third, if it is supported, to what extent is it supported?
Foreign Minister He Ziguang said:
"The old minister reminds you that Ming Dynasty has imminent enemies now. It has no interests in Europe, and we can't focus too much on it. So no matter which side we support, we can only support it morally. Does anyone have this? Opinion?"
Minister of the Navy Fan Yaochen looked around and said thoughtfully:
"But the Soviet Union and Italy...these two countries are very likely to intervene. Spain's position in Europe is too important, and what ideological government will control Spain in the future is too important for these two parties. As Should our Ming Dynasty...should play a more active role to pursue greater national interests?"
Shen Rongxuan interjected:
"Not only are there two parties, but we should also see that there is a third party in Europe, that is, the intermediate countries such as Britain and France. Spain is geographically closest to France. Although Spain is on the edge of Europe, it guards the entrance to the Mediterranean—— The Strait of Gibraltar. The Strait of Gibraltar is an important passage for Britain to its eastern colonies. The UK also has a naval base in Gibraltar. Britain and France must also be very concerned about what kind of government holds Spain in the future."
Foreign Minister He Ziguang nodded and said:
"Yes, Spain is very important to the Soviet Union and Germany and Italy... But what Mr. Shen Ge said is also right. The attitudes of third-party forces in Europe, even some democratic countries, are also very important. The main thing is The ideologies of such countries as Britain and France are diversified and relatively moderate. If they only consider the ideological level, it would be difficult for them to decide which side to support. Because one side is fascist and the other side is Bolshevik, which is difficult for them to accept. …
"But Mr. Shen Ge has already pointed out the key issue, that is, for them, in addition to ideology, there are also tangible interests. For France, Spain directly borders it. For Britain, Spain guards it. The passage to the Eastern colonies. They have to make a choice no matter what, and will not sit idly by... And this involves our Ming Dynasty. The veteran believes that our Ming Dynasty's attitude should stand with the attitude of Britain and France.
"If it were just the fascists and Bolsheviks competing for Spain, then we could stay out of it and express neutrality. But now there are Britain and France. We are not in Europe, but Britain and France are in Europe, and they have more reason to care about Spain than we do. Therefore, the veteran believes that here
Regarding this matter, it will be fine if we in the Ming Dynasty follow the lead of Britain and France."
As soon as he finished speaking, Navy Minister Fan Yaochen said dissatisfied:
"Just follow the tone of Britain and France... Mr. He, does this sound like what a foreign minister would say?"
He Ziguang said sadly:
"Master Fan, what do you mean? How come this doesn't sound like what a foreign minister would say?"
Fan Yaochen frowned and said:
"Yes, our center of interest is not in Europe... But we still have some interests in Europe... Our Ming Dynasty is a little far away from Europe, but not that far away. After all, we are still on the same planet.
For such a big matter, we must have our own considerations. We cannot and cannot stay away from it. What's more, we have just formed an economic and technical cooperation partner with Germany, and the Soviet Union is close to our old enemy, the Manchu Qing Dynasty, to the north.
Geographically, there is a trend of encirclement... So, should we maintain the cooperative relationship with Germany and stand on the side of Germany and Italy? Or should we take the opportunity to win over the Soviet Union and contain the Manchu Qing from the north, and stand on the side of the Soviet Union?... Mr. He
As foreign minister, you should have a clear view."
Fan Yaochen made He Ziguang angry with a few rude words. If this was not a royal meeting and Her Majesty the Queen was also present, then according to the style of the previous cabinet, tea would have been poured out now.
He Ziguang glanced at Zhu Yourong who was sitting upright, suppressed his anger, and said in a deep voice:
"Master Fan, you have to know that this minister's proposal to 'follow Britain and France' was based on the considerations you mentioned! Yes, Germany is a trustworthy partner that we have, which is very important! Now our
In the factory, advanced weapons, advanced equipment, precision machine tools, and precision parts based on German technology are shipped out of the factory every day. German flight instructors take our pilots to train in the sky every day, and more than 10,000 German Wehrmacht soldiers are with us every day.
In the military camp, living and training with our army, the quality of our Ming army is getting closer to the German army day by day... Therefore, we must never give up on Germany!
"But on the other hand, as you said, our biggest enemy is the Manchu Qing Dynasty, and the Soviet Union lies to the north of the Manchu Qing Dynasty. And because of this, the Manchu Qing Dynasty always deploys a considerable number of troops on the northern border to guard against the Soviet Union
.It is precisely because of the containment of the Soviet Union that the forces that the Manchu Qing could use when it invaded the south were greatly reduced, and it was possible for us to hold the Yangtze River defense line. However, if we stand clearly on the side of Germany and Italy,
It will definitely anger the Soviet Union. Then Stalin does not need to say anything to us. He only needs to give the Manchu Qing some hints and friendly signals, such as transferring a few divisions from the Far East. Then the Manchu Qing emperor will have the courage to send more
The army will be transferred to the south. In that case, regardless of whether the Manchu Qing invades the south, we will feel much greater pressure!
"So this minister has thought about it again and again, and feels that both sides should try to win over each other, at least without offending either. Just now, Mr. Shen Ge said that in addition to the Bolsheviks and fascists, there are third parties in Europe, that is, democratic countries. And although our Ming Dynasty is not in Europe,
, but the whole world also naturally classifies us as a third party with countries such as Britain and France. This is a very good thing. So we simply don’t have to worry about it so much. We just need to keep a close eye on Britain and France and play our traditional roles. Britain and France
Whatever we do, we will do. Because when we stand with democratic countries such as Britain and France, we stand on the moral high ground. No matter who we support or condemn with them, no one can say anything!
"
Fan Yaochen paused and continued to ask:
"Okay, Mr. He, I am being reckless. But Mr. He, I'm afraid things are not that simple. What if Britain and France not only verbally support and condemn, but also take further measures, such as providing weapons support to one side and carrying out threats to the other side?
What about the embargo? Should we follow suit?"
He Ziguang was startled:
"Of course not."
Fan Yaochen shook his head, sighed, glanced around the other ministers, and said nothing. However, everyone could understand his gaze:
——In this case, Ming Dynasty will only offend both sides and neither will be harmed.
…
The cabinet meeting adjourned at noon. Zhu Yourong ordered the imperial kitchen to pass the food and entertained the ministers in the palace, and then continued the meeting in the afternoon.
After listening to the quarrels in the cabinet all morning, Zhu Yourong was also very upset. She originally had some opinions of her own, but after listening to various opinions all morning, her mind was very confused now.
After lunch, Zhu Yourong announced that there would be a meeting at 1:30 in the afternoon. But it was only 12 o'clock. She took this opportunity to quietly order Xiang Xiaoqiang, commander of the People's Guard, to enter the palace. She wanted to hear Xiang Xiaoqiang's opinion.
Zhu Yourong's intuition now tells her that in this situation, there is nothing wrong with trusting the person who has always been able to trust her.
Xiang Xiaoqiang had been waiting for Zhu Yourong to consult him since yesterday. At this moment, he got in the car and arrived at the Forbidden City in only ten minutes.