In the imperial study, Zhu Yourong invited Xiang Xiaoqiang in and told him rather hesitantly about the discussions at the cabinet meeting in the morning and the dilemma.
"The worries of some ministers are not unreasonable," Zhu Yourong said with a frown. "On the one hand, we are continuously receiving benefits from Germany, technology, equipment, and military training... On the other hand, the Soviet Union is in the north of the Qing Dynasty. He only needs to
If a few divisions are transferred from the Far East, then the Manchu Qing emperor will dare to transfer a large number of Qing troops from the north to the Yangtze River defense line, which will put huge pressure on us... In short, no results were discussed all morning... Anyway, you
What do you think?"
Xiang Xiaoqiang was a little surprised:
"'As long as the Soviet Union transfers a few divisions from the Far East, the Manchu Qing emperor will dare to transfer a large number of Qing troops from the north to the Yangtze River defense line.' Your Majesty, who told you this?"
Zhu Yourong thought for a moment and did not say that this was what the Foreign Minister said. He just said:
"Hmm...I can't remember exactly who said it. Anyway, there are so many ministers who think so...I support it. What do you think?"
Xiang Xiaoqiang stood up, took two steps, and said:
"Your Majesty, what assumptions are they based on when they say this?"
"What?"
"That is to say," Xiang Xiaoqiang returned to sit down and stared at Zhu Yourong and asked, "To what extent do they assume that we support the Spanish right wing? That they would anger the Soviet Union and withdraw troops from the Far East and use the Qing army to put pressure on us?"
Zhu Yourong understood and said:
"Oh, this was not discussed at the meeting. I just said that if we support the right wing, what may happen to the Soviet Union, and if we support the left wing, what may happen to Germany."
Xiang Xiaoqiang shook his head and said:
"Your Majesty, the ministers have been meeting all morning. How can we not talk about this? If we don't talk about this, how can we talk about how Germany is doing and how the Soviet Union is doing?"
Zhu Yourong also understood what he meant, and was a little embarrassed. He didn't speak and just looked at him.
Xiang Xiaoqiang said:
"Okay, since the ministers haven't discussed this issue with you, I'm here to talk to you. If our Ming Dynasty sits on the fence and remains neutral and doesn't support either side, the Soviet Union will definitely have no objection, right?"
Zhu Yourong thought for a moment and nodded.
Xiang Xiaoqiang continued:
"The Soviet Union has no objections, but Germany definitely has objections. Why? Because after all, we have no alliance with the Soviet Union, nor any economic and technological partnership. But Germany is different. We just had it a few months ago
We have established a cooperative partnership with Germany at the economic level, technical level, and even military level...Although Germany sent a 'volunteer corps', no one is stupid, knowing that it is actually sent by the German official...
In addition, after several months of close cooperation, Germany and Ming Dynasty have entered the 'honeymoon period'. So if the situation develops to the point where Germany and Italy feel the need for direct assistance, Germany has every reason to look forward to it at this critical moment.
Daming stood with them.
"Your Majesty, at this point, Germany and the Soviet Union have different expectations for us. They are not at the same level. Our declaration of neutrality will satisfy the Soviet Union, but it will disappoint Germany. Because to the Soviet Union, we are strangers.
But to Germany, we are good friends. Our cooperation with Germany has gone so far. If we stand on the left side of Spain at this time, the damage to the relationship between Germany and Germany will be huge. This
There is no doubt about it. But if we sit on the fence and maintain neutrality, Germany will not be happy, because what they see is our indifference. And it is this same indifference that makes us choose to distance ourselves from Britain and get closer to Germany."
Zhu Yourong lowered his head, stared at the tea in the cup, turned the tea cup thoughtfully, and asked:
"So, what you're saying is that we should support the Spanish right wing?"
"On the contrary, we should first express our support for the right wing on the surface, support the Spanish army to take over power, restore national stability, and act as if we are ready to vigorously assist the right wing... But secretly, we should secretly contact the Soviet Union to test it out and see
How much can we gain by remaining neutral?"
Zhu Yourong quickly raised his eyes to look at him, then lowered his head, turned the tea cup, rolled his eyes at the same time, and said:
"oh!"
Xiang Xiaoqiang said slowly:
"What's the benefit? That is... the Soviet Union needs to massively increase its troops on the border. In this way, a large number of elite Qing troops will be transferred from the Yangtze River defense line in the south to the north... Then, when we attack the Manchu Qing, we can...
…”
Zhu Yourong didn't speak, just stared at her hands. After a while, she raised her head, looked at Xiang Xiaoqiang, and said hesitantly:
"So, our Ming Dynasty should really attack the north?"
Xiang Xiaoqiang also stared at her and said word by word:
"This is a good opportunity that has not been seen in hundreds of years... And Your Majesty, don't you want to see the reunification of China in our generation? Don't you want to let the motherland be recovered in your hands?"
Xiang Xiaoqiang stared at Zhu Yourong for a moment and then said:
"Moreover, aren't we preparing for the Northern Expedition now?... It's been half a year since the Ming and Qing War ended, but we still maintain the wartime production status. We are still constantly upgrading our armaments... Not just the People's Guard,
The entire Ming army is actively upgrading its armaments. Cars, tanks, aircraft, armored vehicles, submachine guns... are rolled off the assembly line in large numbers every day and sent to the army... This has far exceeded the traditional self-defense requirements.
"Your Majesty, before the fortress exercise, I discussed the idea of the Northern Expedition to the Manchu Qing Dynasty with Marshals Zhang Zhaoxian and Tang Yunsheng. Now that the exercise has ended for so long, although no one is talking about it publicly, I dare to say that the headquarters
The marshals and generals of the General Staff of the People's Republic of China have all accepted the view that the Ming Dynasty can and must conduct the Northern Expedition... Your Majesty, this time the Army has announced an order for 35,000 military vehicles, which illustrates this problem. Your Majesty, you
Don’t tell me that you think these tens of thousands of military vehicles are all used to defend the Qing Dynasty behind the Yangtze River defense line.”
Zhu Yourong was speechless. After a moment, she nodded silently and said:
"This is a big problem... But if we say no, it must be discussed by the cabinet... So now, what do you mean, we should openly support the Spanish right wing, but secretly test the Soviet Union and negotiate terms?"
"That's right."
"So...we support the right wing, to what extent do we support it?"
Xiang Xiaoqiang said:
"The Spanish Civil War has just begun, and the situation is not very clear yet. All countries are still waiting and watching. We don't have to be very anxious. We can also wait and see like other countries. You can rest assured that within a week, whether it is Germany, Italy or the Soviet Union,
, will not make a clear stance, nor will they start to provide support. They need to see the situation clearly first. Because they still don’t know whether this civil war will subside soon or whether it will continue for a long time. Only the latter, both sides
Only then will there be value in intervening. When Germany feels the need to pull us, they will ask their ambassador to come to us proactively. By that time, the Soviet Union will probably see the situation clearly, and we will be able to contact the Soviet Union."
Zhu Yourong is still a little worried:
"Then if we really reach an agreement with the Soviet Union and cut off support from Spain, wouldn't it still hit our relationship with Germany? In that case..."
Xiang Xiaoqiang smiled and said:
"Your Majesty, have you forgotten? We don't have to assist Franco, but our economic cooperation relationship with Germany is still there. The agreements we signed earlier still have to be fulfilled. Don't we still have to send cargo ships carrying food every month?
, meat, ore, etc., are they bound for Germany? Your Majesty, Germany sends things to Spain, and we send things to Germany. What is the difference between this and us sending things to Spain? Will Hitler not be able to turn this corner?"