Throughout the first ten days of March, Xiang Xiaoqiang had been jumping up and down among the Ming government and the royal family, exerting all kinds of influence, trying his best to delay the Ming government from making a statement. However, the German side urged him every now and then, his tone became more and more irritable, and his words became more and more aggressive. It was getting worse and worse. Shen Rongxuan and the cabinet ministers felt that it was too late to delay any longer. Whether it was about fulfilling the contract or breaking the contract, there had to be an answer.
But Xiang Xiaoqiang always used "the time is too late" and "wait a little longer" to persuade him, and every time he was able to provide Shen Rongxuan with a lot of detailed information about the high-level officials of Germany and Austria. For example, who was Schuschnigg fighting? The phone call came, who did Hitler meet again, etc. Shen Rongxuan also knew that intelligence on Germany seemed to be the strength of the People's Guard. Anyway, Dongchang was far inferior to others in this regard, so he would accept it with an open mind. He also used this I analyzed and judged the detailed information provided to Xiaoqiang myself, and every time I did feel that it was not the right time.
Just like that, on March 8, Xiang Xiaoqiang suddenly informed Shen Rongxuan that Schuschnigg would hold an Austrian national referendum four days later, on the 12th, allowing Austrians to choose whether to support independence. This news will be announced tomorrow. It was announced by Schuschnigg himself. This was a good opportunity. I suggested to Xiaoqiang that the Foreign Minister could also give a speech after Schuschnigg's announcement, saying that Ming Dynasty has always supported national self-determination and so on, and also believed that the Austrian people wanted to Unification. The Ming government respects the will of the Austrian people, or respects the Austrian people's own choice. Doesn't it mean that it supports the merger of Germany and Austria? And the wonderful thing is that it takes advantage of the Austrian referendum. It seems natural to say so. As for Germany, it cannot be said that Ming Dynasty breached the contract.
Shen Rongxuan thought for a moment and felt very satisfied. He believed that Schuschnigg was actually setting himself up for a referendum by holding a referendum at this time. If the referendum results showed that most Austrians supported the merger, then he would be justified. Get rid of the current painful dilemma.
Xiang Xiaoqiang came from time travel, and he knew the outcome. Schuschnigg's plan was exactly the opposite. Schuschnigg was absolutely sure that most Austrians supported independence. Hitler must also know this. Otherwise, Hitler would We will not be so angry that we order the army to march urgently. We must enter Austria on the 12th to prevent this referendum.
In this way, Ming's situation became even more complicated. The words of Ming's Foreign Minister seemed to support the German-Austrian Anschluss before the 12th. But after Hitler was so angry that he wanted to prevent the referendum on the 12th, Ming's words again It seems that they are on Austria's side, in favor of the referendum and against aggression.
In this way, it neither breaks the contract nor hurts the "feathers".
Today is the 8th. Schuschnigg announced that the referendum will be on the 9th, and there is still one day left. Berlin and Vienna time are 7 hours later than Nanjing time, so there is more time. Shen Rongxuan called the Foreign Minister He Ziguang and informed him of the situation. He asked him to prepare a speech like this, and it should be short and low-key, trying not to attract attention...
Sure enough, the very next day, on the evening of March 9th, Vienna time, Schuschnigg announced in his speech that he was preparing to hold a referendum across Austria to let the Austrian people choose. The content of the referendum is:
"A free, independent, social, Christian and united Austria - do you favor it?"
It was early morning in Nanjing. A few hours later, on the morning of March 10th, Nanjing time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Ming Empire held a small press conference. Under the spotlight of more than a dozen reporters, Minister He Ziguang made a speech
A short speech:
"... Our government has always supported the method of national self-determination. We believe that this is also the most just and legal method. Because the ownership of a region ultimately depends on the will of the people in the region. The north and south of the Ming Dynasty were forced to separate
After more than two hundred years, we can deeply understand the desire of the people of the same nation for reunification. On this point, the people of Ming Dynasty and the people of Germany and Austria share the same feelings. The Ming Dynasty government is very happy to see Mr. Schuschnigg make this wise decision-to
The power to determine the future of Austria is given to the Austrian people. No matter what the result of the referendum is, the Ming government will recognize it and respect it. Because this is the Austrian people's own choice."
Amid the flashing spotlights, He Ziguang took off his glasses, nodded slightly to all directions, then turned and left. The secretary stepped forward, waved to a group of reporters who still had unfinished business, and said with a smile:
"Okay, okay, thank you all, that's the end of this press conference..."
The low-key press conference ended, a dozen reporters dispersed, and Daming's "secret promise" to Germany was fulfilled, and that was the end of it. Under Xiang Xiaoqiang's arrangement, Daming took advantage of the long-term split he had suffered
"Historical characteristics", using the banner of "empathy", the words are so beautiful that no one in the world can say anything.
This was also the last major obligation that Ming Dynasty promised to Germany. After this, the two countries were left with pure trade exchanges. Ming Dynasty was much freer in its advance and retreat. It could make adjustments at any time according to the situation, and get closer to or alienate Germany.
.
A few hours later, in the morning of Berlin time and in the afternoon of Nanjing time, the German Ambassador to Ming Dynasty came to meet with the Foreign Minister. He brought a message of thanks from the Führer Hitler. The message was written with enthusiasm and full of friendly words.
However, the German ambassador seemed worried. He brought a verbal request from the head of state:
"Your Excellency, Minister... I'm afraid your country has misunderstood. The head of state does not think that this Austrian referendum will have a good result... The Austrian people are under the high pressure of Schuschnigg's dictatorship. Even if they vote, the result will be in Schuschnigg's."
Nige's control... Therefore, the head of state is not optimistic about this referendum and does not agree with this referendum. Even... when necessary, the head of state will take drastic measures to prevent this false referendum... Here
At this critical moment, the Head of State sincerely requests Her Majesty the Queen and the Chief Minister to stand by him and give him full support..."
The Ming Dynasty had long expected that Hitler would not be satisfied with his statement. He Ziguang also laughed secretly in his heart: This is really a crow's disdain for a sparrow... You said that Schuschnigg was a "dictatorship and high pressure", but what do you think of Hitler himself?
But He Ziguang still smiled and said:
"Oh, haha, then what does the 'complete support' the head of state refers to?"
The ambassador had a humble smile on his face:
"If your Ministry of Foreign Affairs can issue another statement, without mentioning the 'referendum', and just clearly stating that it 'supports the Anschluss of Germany and Austria', then the Führer will be very grateful... In the years of fighting in the future, your country will also have the support of the Führer and Germany.
Undying friendship and support…”
He Ziguang pondered for a moment and shook his head in embarrassment:
"Mr. Ambassador, you also know our country's current situation. It is fighting against the Soviet Union and Japan at the same time, and it relies heavily on the support of Britain, the United States, France and other countries... and these countries have not done anything about your country's plot against Austria.
take any preventive measures, but the attitude is very clear. At this juncture, it is not easy for Ming Dynasty to abandon its immediate interests and insist on fulfilling its commitments to your country. On this point, the head of state and the ambassador should
Understood."
The ambassador's face was slightly sweaty, he nodded and said with a smile:
"Of course...the head of state understands this. I understand it too."
He Ziguang spread his hands slightly and made a regretful expression:
"So..."
The German ambassador's face darkened. He nodded slightly, sighed, and stood up to leave.