1905: Beer Hall Speaker

Page 98

The Germans were well aware of their strategic predicament; after the collapse of the Three Emperors' League, Germany could no longer find a decent ally in Europe.

Some say that the collapse of the Three Emperors' Alliance was due to the arrogant German Emperor's own self-destructive actions, which led to the alliance's disintegration. However, true international diplomacy is never determined by personal will and preferences, not even by an emperor.

In fact, after the German Emperor occupied Paris and was crowned at Versailles, Germany effectively replaced France's position. Just as Napoleon faced numerous anti-French alliances, Germany would face just as many anti-German alliances in the future.

Let alone the German Emperor's arrogance, even if the German Emperor himself went to St. Petersburg to polish the Tsar's boots, Tsarist Russia would not agree to help Germany sweep across Europe. It couldn't even remain neutral; it would definitely attack Germany.

The British always pursue offshore balancing, and in fact, all other European countries do the same. It's not just the British who disagree with a unified Europe; other countries do too.

Whoever most resembles the dominant power in Europe is the one to be targeted and united against – this is an old European tradition.

Germany's current situation is so awkward. The French have essentially given up on the idea of ​​dominating Europe and are now focusing on cultivating their overseas interests, maintaining the status quo in Europe.

Germany, on the other hand, was in a different situation. Germany had no other way out. If it wanted to continue developing, it had to acquire overseas interests. To acquire overseas interests, it had to break with Britain and France.

Chapter 167 I want it all!

The Germans are well aware that if Germany wants to break through its current limitations and take its place as a global hegemon, it must simultaneously possess both extensive overseas interests and the support of its status as a continental hegemon.

Don't say you don't want to be the world's hegemon; no one will believe you anyway. It's like being a prince—if you don't fight for the opportunity, others will still try to destroy you.

Britain and France will almost certainly join forces against Germany, just like they did against France. This is all within the last century, and it's obvious that their adversaries will make this choice.

As for Russia, it goes without saying that it will definitely join Britain and France in dealing with Germany, because Britain and France can offer Russia all sorts of benefits without restraint.

But Germany couldn't offer anything, and in fact, Germany wanted to strike first!

Germany and Tsarist Russia are now neighboring countries, with an incredibly long land border between them. Poland is under Russian control. With two such powerful land forces as neighbors, it's hard to believe that they wouldn't have thoughts of killing each other.

"Germany is destined to face a two-front war in the future, with Britain and France in the west and Russia in the east. You should know better than me whether other countries are your friends or enemies."

"Mr. Ambassador, I do not deny that Germany does have the potential to quickly sweep across Europe, but what is that probability? Forty percent? Fifty percent? Or seventy or eighty percent?"

"In any case, it can't be 100%, otherwise you would already be at war!"

"Given the considerable possibility that Germany will not be able to sweep across Europe in a short period of time, what will happen next?"

"Hmm, things might get interesting from here on out?"

"You are simply a demon sent by Satan to bewitch people!" Cold sweat beaded on Schultz's forehead; every word Zhao Yan said made Schultz tremble.

Zhao Yan's understanding of European history and its complex relationships, as well as his keen strategic thinking, all made Schultz feel uneasy.

If anyone else had said these words, Schultz would have just laughed it off, at most muttering to himself.

But if the person who said these words was Zhao Yan, it would be different. Before and after the Far East War, Zhao Yan's global strategic vision, methods and scale, as well as his military capabilities that were beyond ordinary people, were already recognized by Europe.

When a strategist and military leader with such a proven track record of hard work and impressive achievements says these things, each sentence may seem like empty talk, but upon closer examination, it becomes clear that these are things that are very likely to happen, or even inevitable.

"Devil? We're friends!" Zhao Yan continued to entice Schultz: "I was just giving you a free strategic simulation from a friend's perspective."

If Germany could sweep across Europe in a short period of time, replicating the miracle of the Franco-Prussian War, and swiftly defeat and conquer France.

Then surpass Napoleon, launch expeditions to Moscow and St. Petersburg, defeat the Russians in the freezing cold, and finally turn back to conquer the English Channel with your high seas fleet and defeat the world's number one fleet.

Then I'm just a clown, and everything I've said is a joke!

"But the question is, can Germany accomplish these things so quickly within this timeframe?"

"You know, besides Europe, there's also the United States in North America, which you call a nouveau riche. Which side will he choose? Would Americans want a unified Europe with a single superpower?"

"And then there's China. If the Germans reject our friendship, we won't mind sucking up to the British!"

"The Chinese army certainly cannot fly to Europe like migratory birds, but Britain and France have enough transport ships."

Schultz's face grew paler and paler, but Zhao Yan's attack still hadn't stopped.

"Mr. Schultz, do you remember when I led the army on the Northern Expedition?" Zhao Yan asked warmly.

Schultz didn't want to talk anymore, he just nodded slowly.

Zhao Yan laughed and said, "During the Northern Expedition, I was thinking, what a wonderful scene it would be if the line-filling tactics that can be used on the North China Plain were applied to the more expansive European Plain?"

"Especially since you European countries have a huge number of rifles and artillery, I think the scene will definitely be more spectacular than my Northern Expedition."

"The British and French had a constant supply of colonies to feed them, and even countless cannon fodder."

"Oh, by the way, your Germany also has an army that's said to be the best in the world, right? Don't be afraid, I really have high hopes for Germany!"

Schultz's straight back bent completely, and he said in a slightly trembling voice, "If we form an alliance, what can you do?"

Zhao Yan put away his smile and said, word by word, "Germany will no longer face threats from the east. China will bear all the pressure on the eastern front."

“We will keep that polar bear too busy to deal with Europe, so you can focus on attacking the western front and dealing with the French and the British.”

Schultz countered, "How can I be sure the Chinese won't use the Scourge of God again?"

"Are you serious?" Zhao Yan's expression froze, and he asked in displeasure, "Mr. Ambassador, do you think that China can maintain a huge logistical supply and military size along a front of thousands of kilometers, fight the Russians to the death and win, and then continue to extend the front of thousands of kilometers to attack Germany, then sweep through France, and finally drink from the Atlantic Ocean?"

Schultz was taken aback, then immediately apologized: "I misspoke, Your Excellency!"

"But I need your country to guarantee that it will not interfere in Europe. Your troops can only stay within Russian territory and hold back the millions of Russian 'gray cattle'."

The German army will return to your aid immediately after dealing with the British and French.

Zhao Yan agreed without hesitation: "No problem. The Chinese army is not interested in Europe. We only hope to completely eliminate Russia, this greedy and evil neighbor!"

Schulz nodded and continued, "Now that you've offered such irresistible terms, what terms does Germany need to offer, and what do you require?"

Zhao Yan waved his hand and shook his head, saying, "Only children make choices; adults want it all!"

Schulz was dumbfounded: "You want it all? Then why don't you just move Germany to China's house!"

Zhao Yan chuckled sheepishly, then resumed his pragmatic tone: "We need the most cutting-edge technology, the kind of technology and equipment that they wouldn't sell for money."

"Chemicals, power, weapons, steel, manufacturing, shipbuilding, trains, we want everything!"

Zhao Yan's market-for-technology strategy can indeed promote the rapid growth of China's industrial and economic scale, but its impact on quality is questionable.

Just as the British would never sell dreadnought-making technology to China, neither would the Americans. If China shows even the slightest interest in the ocean, Europe and the United States will unanimously take unified measures to contain it.

The most core, cutting-edge technologies will never be sold to China by Europe and America, not even if they have the money! It's like a cat will never teach a tiger how to climb a tree!

The West can confidently provide these technologies to Japan because they always have the strength to crush Japan. Japan's size and resources are undeniable; even if you fly into the sky, the West is confident it can shoot you down.

But the West is not so sure about China. For one thing, China has been the Celestial Empire in East Asia for over a thousand years and is the almost eternal core of the entire Asia.

This influence and historical heritage alone are enough to be worth a hundred dreadnoughts. When the Japanese conquered East Asia, it was called invasion; when the Chinese conquered East Asia, it was called restoration. That is the difference.

Since the post-war market opened up for so long, European and American investments in China have only focused on light industry, agriculture, and services. They have done whatever is profitable, and have cleverly chosen to ignore the heavy industry sector.

Even the most generous countries like the US and France only invested in building some steel plants and brought over some outdated technologies. As for sophisticated and high-end technologies and equipment, Europe and America held on tightly and wouldn't let go, at most selling the finished products at high prices.

If you think that in this era you can buy anything as long as you have money, then you are too naive. Zhao Yan waved his banknotes and wanted to import some large-caliber naval guns, but Europe and America were not very willing to sell them to him.

As for Zhao Yan's desire to manufacture technology and equipment, that was even more of a pipe dream. The Americans were eager to make a move, but they were suppressed by the combined forces of Britain and France, since a large number of British and French colonies were right on China's doorstep!

Moreover, Zhao Yan looked down on American technology. He was afraid that the Americans would treat him like a guinea pig and use him as a test subject.

The only chance is to start with Germany. Although many German technologies are not the most advanced, especially in the navy, their chemical and mechanical manufacturing processes are still top-notch.

For this reason, Zhao Yan was willing to make the decision to form an alliance, even if it meant facing a brutal battle in the future.

There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world, and there is no such thing as getting all the benefits for yourself. If you want to get something, you have to pay the corresponding price.

Just like the new China in the original timeline, without the devastating Korean War and the subsequent tightening of belts to pay off debts, do you think the Soviets would have given away an entire industrial system for free? Dream on!

Moreover, what Zhao Yan wanted was no longer the basic industrial system; he wanted dreadnoughts, synthetic ammonia, internal combustion engines, the power industry, power technology, and a whole host of technologies that could be considered the crown jewels of the current industrial era.

This is no longer something you can buy with money; it requires paying double the amount of money to obtain it.

Therefore, even if it means being dragged into the hell of World War I by Germany, Zhao Yan is willing to do it!

Even the most tragically defeated nation is still stronger than a nation that is merely a nominal victor. At least the defeated nation has gained international influence and prestige, and even though it failed, others dare not underestimate it.

Even if a nation is a nominal victor, it will ultimately end up being served at the dinner table by other wolves.

Zhao Yan's greatest confidence stemmed from the fact that even if China lost World War I along with Germany, could the West really destroy China? They probably wouldn't even have the courage to land on Chinese soil, provided that China fought with dignity and courage.

As long as he acquires these cutting-edge technologies and equipment, Zhao Yan is willing to sacrifice himself, because he wants to turn this world into the one he knows, and he wants to recreate the industrial Cthulhu panda that the world can't beat in the future.

With these, what does it matter if we lose one war? We'll be guaranteed to win the next.

With only the technological foundation of our own country, even with full development, Zhao Yan predicted that it would be impossible to build a dreadnought by 1920, to achieve electrification by 1930, and to launch a large number of aircraft and tanks by 1940.

In industry, especially in the real manufacturing sector, the idea of ​​overtaking on a curve is just a dream; the reality is that falling behind at one step will lead to falling behind at every step.

Zhao Yan wasn't a complete political machine like Stalin. Asking him to starve millions of peasants to develop an industrial system was pointless; he'd be better off conscripting a large army and fighting a major battle. Dying on the battlefield was better than starving to death by the roadside. In the end, whether it was starvation or war, peasants were the majority who died.

Perhaps a war could be fought without losing millions; he didn't believe Tsarist Russia had that kind of ability!

Being backward invites aggression, but progress requires sacrifice. It's easier to lie down and be beaten, but standing up and moving forward is much more complicated.

An immense upheaval in human history was about to unfold. Unlike later generations who were fortunate enough to have forty years to bide their time, Zhao Yan had to seize every second.

“I know you can’t make these decisions, but please remember my words: go back to Germany and tell your Kaiser these words, tell him that I am ready to wait for his decision.”

“Tell him that the fate of this world is always in the hands of a few, which is both a right and a responsibility.”

"Some decisions, once made wrong, will have very serious consequences."

"China is one of the very few options for Germany, but Germany is just one of the many options for China."

"If Germany chooses the path with the greater cost, China will also have to choose the path with the greater cost. Believe me, these two paths will collide."

Zhao Yan spoke his final words earnestly, believing that Schultz would understand them.

China can achieve its goals not only through Germany, but it is the best option. After all, if China goes through Germany, it will be treated as an ally. If it goes through Britain, France, or the United States, they will use it as cannon fodder, and might even fire flares over its head at night!

Schultz solemnly stood up, picked up the tea that Zhao Yan had personally brewed on the table, treated it as a farewell drink, drank it all in one gulp, and then smashed the teacup on the ground.

Schultz didn't say a word, but that expressed his attitude more clearly than a thousand words.

Unfortunately, the guards at the door didn't understand this attitude; they only heard cups being smashed inside the Imperial Study!

Schultz was still too young. He only knew that smashing a glass after drinking in China was a sign of a vow to die, but he didn't know that smashing a glass could also be a signal of murder!

In the end, Schultz was carried out by the guards of the Führer's Palace with a bruised and swollen face. His arm joints had been dislocated, and he was almost shot dead on the spot. Fortunately, Zhao Yan quickly gave the order, saving this half-baked "China expert".

Chapter 168 Highland Surprise Troops

January 30, 1909, Mila Pass, Tibetan Plateau, at an altitude of 5000 meters.

Wu Zifu was wrapped tightly in a leather overcoat, and wore a pair of fur-lined boots. He walked with difficulty across the snow-capped plateau.

Behind him was his most elite 6th Mountain Infantry Division of the National Defense Army, with a total strength of about 7,000 men.

In the middle of last year, Wu Zifu was ordered by the central government to withdraw his troops. Indignant, Wu Zifu could only lead his army to plunder Myanmar before reluctantly returning to the capital.

Then, just as Wu Zifu was filled with grief and indignation with nowhere to vent his anger, a rebellion broke out in Xikang region, and the Sichuan Provincial Government requested Nanjing to help quell the rebellion.

Wu Zifu, who was filled with anger and had nowhere to vent it, led his troops to the snowy plateau to seek his venting.

Limited by the special terrain and altitude, the logistics could only support one division to advance westward to the plateau. Wu Zifu did not hesitate much, and even thought that one division was more than enough, it was like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

As it turned out, Wu Zifu led his army into the Sichuan Basin, resupplyed in Chengdu, and then quickly advanced westward, capturing Luding along the way. He then swept through the rebel stronghold of Kangding and completely annihilated the rebel forces.

Logically speaking, the army should have withdrawn after capturing Kangding, but Wu Zifu witnessed the appalling Tusi slave system during his campaign. He saw the enslaved Tibetans and Han people.

He saw those chieftains who were eating their fill and living a life comparable to that of wealthy people in Jiangnan. Their extravagance shocked Wu Zifu!

In theory, the life of a Tusi (chieftain) was just that of an ordinary wealthy family in the Jiangnan region, and was still extremely meager compared to the lives of the top gentry.

But what kind of terrain and environment is this Sichuan-Western Plateau? The local chieftains are simply ruthless, their actions even more cruel than those of the British colonists Wu Zifu witnessed in Burma.

It's hard to imagine that this is actually within our own country. The glory of the revolution has shone throughout the whole country, but slavery still exists on the plateau!

Wu Zifu could not tolerate such a thing happening in his country. He decided without hesitation to continue his expedition to the plateau and fight his way up. The existence of slavery was a challenge to his beliefs. Wu Zifu would not stop until all the slave owners were wiped out.

The Tibetan Plateau, which was originally relatively peaceful, also suffered collateral damage. Although it was the Kham-Tibet region in western Sichuan that rebelled, Wu Zifu showed no signs of retreating after suppressing the rebellion and continued to advance westward.

They fought their way through Zheduo Mountain, reaching Litang and Batang, and then crossed the Nujiang and Jinsha Rivers. Along the way, they cleared roads through mountains and built bridges over rivers, advancing steadily and surely. Wherever the army went, they always swept away the local chieftains and then carried out a thorough reform of the system of replacing local chieftains with centrally appointed officials. All the land of slave owners was forcibly confiscated and then distributed equally to the proletarian slaves.

Wu Zifu's advance was very slow, but exceptionally thorough. Wherever he went, he waged a land revolution war, destroying and eliminating all Tusi (chieftain) systems.

Even now, Wu Zifu's army is crossing the last treacherous peak, preparing to besiege Lhasa and destroy the last core of slavery in the snowy plateau.

"Commander, urgent dispatch from the rear!"

A messenger riding a Yunnan horse found Wu Zifu and delivered an urgent, encrypted letter from the rear.

"Give me the letter, then go and rest!" Wu Zifu took the letter and first checked the sealing wax.

Upon seeing the Party headquarters seal on the package, Wu Zifu raised an eyebrow. This was most likely not an order or official letter from the military or political departments, but rather a secret intelligence message sent by a comrade within the Party.

When the guards saw Wu Zifu holding the letter, they immediately surrounded him, shielding him from the cold wind on the mountaintop.

After Wu Zifu opened the letter and saw its contents, his expression turned strange. His frost-covered eyebrows curled up, and his messy beard trembled.