Republic of China game

Page 278

There is also good news from Beijing.The Soviets have agreed to sell the two "Karl Marx" classes under construction to the Nationalist Government for $500 million.This means that the national government only needs to pay a final payment of 7000 million French currency to take these two battleships within 100!In addition, an oil deal with the Soviet Union was successfully concluded. In the next three years, the Soviet Union would sell up to [-] million barrels of heavy crude oil to the Nationalist government at a discount of [-]% off Texas light crude oil.Right now it's almost [-] cents a barrel, thinking of oil that will cost more than [-] dollars a barrel in the future... Luo Yaoguo couldn't help but laugh out loud.

However, it is not without some difficulties. For example, there are certain differences of views on the total tonnage of aircraft carriers owned by China.Luo Yaoguo insisted on 80.00 tons, a total of five "Zhongshan class" aircraft carriers.Britain and the United States have no objection to this, but Japan refuses to agree to anything, and insists on reducing it to [-] tons. In this way, the total tonnage of China's aircraft carrier will be [-] tons less than Japan's!In addition, there was no agreement on the total tonnage of China's heavy cruisers and light cruisers in the "London Conference on the Limitation of Naval Armament".Japan requires that the total tonnage of the above two types of warships in China should be controlled at [-]% of Japan's, that is, about [-] tons each, and the tonnage of cruisers owned by the Northeast Army of North China must also be included!The last disagreement is also related to the north, and it is also Japan that raises objections.They believe that the national government is not the central government, and the parties to this "Naval Arms Limitation Treaty" are all serious central governments!The Chinese central government in Beijing was therefore also required to ratify the treaty.

Want Beijing to ratify the treaty signed by the Nationalist government?is it possible?Not only is there no door, I'm afraid there is no window!Thinking of this, Luo Yaoguo couldn't help but sighed slightly.

Hearing Luo Yaoguo's movements, Natalie also woke up, and asked in a sweet voice while getting dressed, "What's the matter? Are you still worried about Beijing's ratification of the treaty?"

"Ah... Really, these foreigners know how to give me problems. How can I compare with you, a foreign girl!" Luo Yaoguo sighed repeatedly, but his brows were also untied.

"In my opinion, this matter is not difficult. Isn't it the central government... Can't we also establish one? Just ask Hu Zhangong to be the head of state in Wuhan, so that we can handle diplomacy in a legitimate way?" Natalie Pouring his lips, he gave Luo Yaoguo random ideas.

"In that case... I'm afraid we will fall into a state of war with Beijing again."

"Why?" Natalie frowned and shook her head: "They are in the north, and you are in the south. Isn't it okay to have one country on each side?"

"Nonsense." Luo Yaoguo glared at Natalie, then smiled again: "We Chinese have a strong idea of ​​the unification of the National People's Congress, which is different from your European ideas. What we pay attention to is that there is no two suns and no two kings among the people. As long as we set up another central government in Wuhan ... the relationship with Beijing will be completely broken."

"Oh, then we won't set up another one." Natalie shook her head, wondering if she didn't understand the Chinese people's thinking, or felt that it was not good to set up another central government?

But Luo Yiqun sighed deeply: "I'm afraid I can't decide this matter. Those people in Wuhan are looking forward to an excuse to set up a new central government every day, and this time they can be regarded as looking forward to it." He frowned and smiled wryly twice: "Let them go...I have done enough for this country, and I can't make up my mind about everything, can I?" After speaking, he lay down again, closed his eyes, and seemed to be asleep , I don’t know what’s on my mind?

……

In the living room of the British Consulate General in Shanghai, representatives from China, Britain, the United States, Japan, France, Italy and other countries gathered together again and sat down separately. The red-headed Ah San brought it up.

"About the total tonnage of the aircraft carrier... we can make another concession." Luo Yaoguo put down the small coffee cup in his hand and said with a smile: "We can disarm one of the five 'Zhongshan' class ships and use it as a training ship, so that We will only keep four combatable aircraft carriers, right? All countries have precedents in this regard, even Japan has kept two Shikishima-class battleships as training ships, and many heavy cruisers have been dropped Save it for the 'first-class coastal defense ship'. It doesn't seem like an exaggeration for us to have a training ship?"

When Yoshizawa Kenkichi heard these words, he almost couldn't bear to stand up!Can this dismantled battleship and aircraft carrier be the same thing?Moreover, the Shikishima and Asahi are both old guys from the Russo-Japanese War era, and they would be floating targets if they were to go to the battlefield!The Zhongshan-class aircraft carrier is a new ship, as long as it is equipped with artillery, it can go to the battlefield immediately.And... even without any artillery, as an aircraft carrier, it can still rely on carrier-based aircraft to fight!

But before Fangze could refute, Sir Rampuson's Oxford accent sounded first: "This arrangement is considered acceptable by the British Empire. The Empire believes that peace in Asia is based on the equal strength of all parties. Now, the total tonnage of China's capital ships is only 17 tons, and having relatively large aircraft carriers should not break the balance of power between regions."

Probably tired of the endless wrangling between China and Japan, American Minister Jason also immediately echoed: "We, the United States of America, also agree with this plan. It is also in line with the practice of various countries for China to retain a training ship converted from an aircraft carrier. China should It has such power. However, considering the special nature of aircraft carriers, China should make some concessions in other aspects. For example, all aircraft carriers owned by China are not allowed to install artillery with a caliber exceeding 120mm, so Japan should be satisfied, right?"

Fangze was slightly taken aback when he heard the words, raised his head and glanced at the envoys of Britain and the United States, and murmured in his heart.These white devils obviously want China and Japan to restrain each other, so that they can reap the benefits!According to this plan, although Japan's capital ships have obvious advantages in total tonnage, they may not be able to overwhelm the Chinese navy's capital ships in actual battles.And the aircraft carrier is dominated by China, and considering that South China's current aircraft and pilots are better than Japan, China and Japan may be evenly matched at sea.

But can Japan reject this plan?Fangze thought for a while, then shook his head in his heart.Japan is already secretly expanding its navy right now, so there is no need to be too persistent on this issue.Signing a treaty with China now can limit China's rapidly expanding naval power...while Japan secretly takes tonic at home!On the contrary, if this negotiation breaks down, South China can continue to expand its naval power unscrupulously.Compared with China's vast land and abundant resources, Japan is an island country after all...

Although Fangze was flustered in his heart, on the surface it was still the most standard smiling gesture of a diplomat. He pretended to think about it, and nodded slightly: "Okay then. The empire can accept this plan. But China must The identity of a country to join the 'restriction of naval armaments' treaty, not in the name of a local government! This must be insisted on. Otherwise... other forces in China may also have a navy like the National Government, and The tonnage of this navy is not limited by the treaty. What is the point of such a treaty?"

Although this request is actually very reasonable, it is also a bit weird.After all, only the national government can have a powerful navy in China at present. Neither the CCP in Beijing nor Zhang Xueliang in the Northeast has such financial resources, nor does it have the industrial foundation to guarantee a large navy.This request of the Japanese seems reasonable and reasonable, but in fact it caused some problems for the national government.As for why he did this... Yoshizawa Kenkichi didn't know either, he was just following Tokyo's instructions.

Luo Yaoguo just sneered in his heart, these Japanese devils are very difficult to deal with, and they will never let go of every opportunity that may intensify the conflicts between various factions in China.

But it doesn't matter.

Now the national government has already reached a consensus within the national government to build first and then the Northern Expedition.Before the completion of the five-year construction plan, the Northern Expedition will never be launched.Similarly, the Communist Party has put its main force into the three-year plan.It is estimated that they will not make any major moves before [-].Even if Wuhan sets up another central government, the relationship will be more tense at most.Anyway, both sides will not choose to carry out, no matter what, it is just scaring people.

Besides, Japan is now trying its best to provoke conflicts among various factions in China, and its purpose must be aggression.However, the target of their aggression cannot be the area under the jurisdiction of the South China Kuomintang, but only the Northeast!And if the Japanese make a move in the Northeast, with the patriotic enthusiasm of Zhang Xueliang and the Communist Party, no one can give them an order not to resist... Hehe, maybe the whole nation will fight against it by then, and the shadow of the civil war will naturally dissipate.

In this negotiation, the goals he wanted to achieve were basically achieved.China officially ranks among the world's naval powers and can have a powerful fleet composed of battleships and aircraft carriers.At the same time, it retains the privilege of exporting two battleships... I should be able to explain something to the Germans, right?

He smiled and nodded to Japanese Minister Yoshizawa: "Mr. Yoshizawa, that's all you and I can do, right? In the end, it depends on whether this treaty can be approved by our respective governments?"

……

From January 19th to January 22nd in the 17th year of the Republic of China.Without the consent of the central government in Beijing, the national government that ruled southern China initiated negotiations in Shanghai with Britain, the United States, Japan, France, and Italy on joining the "Naval Arms Limitation Treaty."After eleven days of bargaining, all parties finally reached a compromise, and the Navy of the National Revolutionary Army was accepted as one of the top six navies in the world!According to the treaty, it will have the right to own capital ships with a gross tonnage of [-] tons.The total tonnage of the aircraft carrier is [-] tons. In addition, an unarmed [-]-ton aircraft carrier can be reserved as a training ship.As for the total tonnage of cruisers and destroyers, it will be determined in future negotiations.

However, this "Naval Arms Limitation Treaty" caused another big wave of exaggeration soon after, and even became the fuse of a series of historical changes in the future.

In fact, this crisis began to be exposed as early as the day the draft of the "Naval Arms Limitation Treaty" was signed.The central government in Beijing, after learning that the national government in Wuhan signed a treaty with the great powers again behind the back of the central government.Immediately issued a statement that it does not recognize any treaties concluded between the Wuhan Puppet National Government and all foreign countries!It also declared that in China only the central government in Beijing has the right to sign treaties with foreign countries, and any treaty not ratified by the central government is illegal and invalid.The "Naval Arms Limitation Treaty" also falls into this category.

Chapter 0480

Faced with the National Government's request through the North-South Exchange Foundation, the Central Government approved the "Navy Arms Limitation Treaty" signed by the National Government without authorization.The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in Beijing was very angry.Although this "Naval Arms Limitation Treaty" is not an unequal treaty that humiliates the country, but as a local government, it conducts diplomatic negotiations with foreign countries without authorization, and finally concludes the treaty.Such a thing cannot be tolerated by the central government of any country, and the Beijing central government led by the CCP naturally cannot let it go, let alone ratify this treaty.

The Zhongnanhai Xihua Hall where Zhou Enlai lived once again gathered the leaders of the Politburo in Beijing. The meeting room was full of smoke and no one spoke.Zhou Enlai sat in the middle of the front of the meeting room, with a serious face and a hint of worry in his eyes.

The request made by the national government made Zhou Enlai see a dangerous signal.In fact, the KMT rightists do not expect the central government led by the CCP to ratify the "Treaty" they have submitted.Because they didn't even send enough representatives to the north to negotiate with the central government.The draft of the "Treaty" was sent to Zhongnanhai only through a "non-governmental organization" such as the "North-South Exchange Foundation".Such behavior is almost contempt for the authority of the central government. If the CCP does not categorically reject it, won’t the central government become a rubber stamp for the rightists of the Kuomintang in the future?

But what is the real purpose of the right wing of the Kuomintang?

Zhou Enlai's opinion is that the right wing of the Kuomintang is just waiting for the CCP to refuse to ratify the "Naval Arms Limitation Treaty".Then they can use this as an excuse to set up a separate central government in Wuhan and sing against Beijing!And since the Kuomintang rightists recently refused to recognize the Beijing Central Committee, even after the CCP showed goodwill and persuaded the Kuomintang Revolutionary Committee to cancel the name of the Kuomintang Central Committee.Judging from the situation that is still unmoved, the right wing of the Kuomintang has made up its mind to establish a new central government.

The CCP seems to be powerless about this. After all, Beijing now controls far less territory and troops than Wuhan.The CCP has almost no chance of winning if it wants to send troops to crusade against the rightists of the Kuomintang.In addition, what makes the leaders of the Communist Party of China even more disturbed is what choice will the Northeast Army, Youth Army, Jin Army, and even Mongolia's Seventh Route Army make when China has two central governments in the north and south?Is it possible to be tempted by Wuhan and directly change sides?And how can the CCP avoid this situation?

The atmosphere at the venue became more and more oppressive, and all the committee members seemed to have realized that after the CCP took over the central government, the greatest danger it faced had arrived!

Mao Zedong sat beside Zhou Enlai, his brows furrowed, and he just smoked one cigarette after another.His current status is the head of state of China, and it seems that Wuhan will bring out a head of state to sing against him soon!What's more troublesome is that after the establishment of the central government in Wuhan, the big powers such as Britain, the United States, France, Germany, and Italy will almost immediately recognize it.At that time, there will be an embarrassing situation in which the two Chinese central governments will confront each other in the international arena, and it seems that Wuhan has a better future when it comes to the territory and the army alone... I am afraid that by then, people who hold this view will not be just Imperialism, right?Would the warlords at both ends of the group of rats in the north have no idea?

Thinking of this, Mao Zedong put out the cigarette butt on the sole of his shoe, stood up and began to speak: "This is a huge conspiracy. The rightists of the Kuomintang are using their little reputation in the world to put pressure on us. If we ratify this Treaty, then It is tantamount to delegating the diplomatic power of the central government to the right wing of the Kuomintang. In the future, they will be able to sign various international treaties and carry out diplomatic activities that only the central government has the right to carry out. If we do not approve this "treaty" ", they will set up another central government to oppose our legal central government in Beijing! This is a conspiracy to split the country. What's more, they are very likely to use the name of the pseudo-central government to win over and confuse the strength of the North sent to fight against us. To achieve the evil purpose of interfering with our three-year heavy industry development plan. And our party’s response book should be to win the support of the leftists of the Kuomintang, democrats, and local power factions. I believe that as long as these people stand in the center On the one hand, if you don’t recognize the pseudo-central government in Wuhan, the conspiracy of the right wing of the Kuomintang will not succeed.”

Zhou Enlai nodded slightly, and the atmosphere in the meeting room became a little more relaxed. He also stood up and took over Mao Zedong's topic: "Comrades, the core of our current work is the three-year plan, and this year is the beginning of the three-year plan. It is also a critical year. No matter how much interference we are experiencing now, this goal should always be unswervingly persisted! However, we should still carry out a resolute struggle against the conspiracy of the Kuomintang reactionaries."

The leaders of the Politburo in the conference room couldn't help being a little surprised when they heard Zhou Enlai's words.If we want to stick to the three-year plan, we must maintain a relatively stable external environment.On the contrary, if we want to wage a resolute struggle against the Kuomintang reactionaries, it will naturally include launching a war or launching peasant uprisings and workers' uprisings in the south... In this way, there will be no stability.There seems to be no way for the two to coexist!

"Of course, we should be cautious in choosing the means of struggle." Zhou Enlai smiled slightly: "The experience of the Soviet revolution tells us that a good newspaper is equal to a hundred thousand troops! Public opinion propaganda is a necessary means for the success of the revolution. In this regard, we In the past few years, it has been neglected, and in this struggle, we must inflict heavy damage on the Kuomintang reactionaries on the front of public opinion propaganda!"

"At the same time, we must also give full play to the role of the united front, strive to unite the majority and oppose the small group. I believe that against the Kuomintang reactionaries' perverse approach of setting up a new central government and splitting the country. The forces of all factions across the country, even Those comrades within the Kuomintang who have not lost their conscience are all opposed. Now is the time for our party to come out and unite them to fight together."

"The key to this struggle is to continue to uphold the coalition government. The central government led by our party must be a coalition government with the participation of all forces! Not only the leftists of the Kuomintang and democrats, but also the Northeast Army, Jin Army, and Youth Army. A group of powerful factions should be the object of our unity. We must use the united, democratic, and united central government in Beijing to oppose the reactionary dictatorship of the Kuomintang and the puppet central government in Wuhan.”

Li Lisan let out a sigh of relief, he understood that Zhou Enlai's so-called "resolute struggle" was just a gesture.The real way to deal with it is to take a defensive position, keep the basic situation in the north, and buy time for the three-year plan.Only when the Three-Year Plan is victorious can the CCP have the capital to compete with the Kuomintang reactionaries, and the Chinese revolution will be able to achieve a complete victory.

"Comrades, I agree with Comrade Enlai's suggestion." Li Lisan stood up and began to speak. Since Zhou Enlai refused to be the top leader of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the current position still belongs to Li Lisan.He lowered his glasses, glanced at the committee members in the conference room, and smiled when he saw everyone nodding: "However, while uniting democrats and power factions, we also attach importance to the labor movement, especially to mobilize The working class in the south opposed the Kuomintang reactionaries by means of strikes, marches, protests, petitions, etc.

"Agreed." "Agreed" The committee members in the conference room raised their hands in agreement.Li Lisan nodded with a smile, half turned around and looked at Zhou Enlai with a smile and said, "Comrade Enlai, what do you think of entrusting the Southern Bureau with the task of mobilizing the southern working class to fight?"

Zhou Enlai frowned slightly, as if hesitating, and nodded slowly after a while: "The current situation is that the enemy is strong and we are weak. We must pay attention to tactics in our struggle against the Kuomintang reactionaries. We must instruct the Southern Bureau to avoid Violation of various laws formulated by the right wing of the Kuomintang. Don’t give them an excuse to expand the situation, lest a war break out and threaten our three-year plan... In addition, we must pay close attention to the united front work with the Northeast Army and the Jin Army. I think it’s up to me Go to Shenyang and talk to Zhang Xueliang, I believe it will be useful."

"Where is Yan Laoxi?" Mao Zedong asked calmly.

"Yan Xishan..." Zhou Enlai's face was livid, and his tone became serious: "Shanxi has always been a trouble, and now Yan Xishan has joined the Youth Party, and he is in the same spirit as Wang Zixing in the Northwest. The Youth Party And getting too close to the Kuomintang... I'm afraid we will find it difficult to coexist peacefully with Yan Xishan, but we should fight for it again."

……

There was a snap.Wang Jingwei threw the Beijing government's refusal to ratify the "Naval Arms Limitation Treaty" telegram on the table.Since the Kuomintang withdrew from the central government in Beijing, Wang Jingwei returned to Wuhan.And he didn't mix with the leftists, but took charge of the diplomatic work of the national government... His gentle and elegant appearance, it is very suitable to be sent to the international arena to pretend to be a little white rabbit.But now the national government has not called itself the central government, so Wang Jingwei is not yet the minister of foreign affairs, but the minister of the foreign relations department, and the work of liaison with the Beijing government has also been transferred to this department.

Therefore, Wang Jingwei was the first to receive the telegram sent by the Beijing government.And he threw this telegram on the conference table of the Central Committee Standing Committee meeting.

"Comrades! Take a look...the little bit of rights and interests that we have worked so hard to win with the foreign powers, they just rejected it with a few words! Not only the "Naval Armament Limitation Treaty" was rejected, but even the "Guangzhou Four-Nation Treaty" They also denied it. Our current South China Customs Zone has become illegal, and even the international powers have taken the opportunity to ask us to cancel this customs zone in the past two days. Tell me... can we still use this center? Recognize? Do we still need our customs territory?"

As soon as Wang Jingwei finished speaking, Xie Chi, head of the Political Department of the Military Commission, jumped up and shouted loudly: "The Communist Party doesn't recognize our Kuomintang Central Committee now, so why should we recognize them as the Central Government! They are not in Beijing and Did you set up a revolutionary committee for the Kuomintang? Why don’t we also set up a central government in Wuhan? I think the current national government is a shelf of the central government. As long as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is changed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we will be the central government! And now it is At the best time, Britain, the United States, France, Italy, Japan and other major powers are still waiting for us to ratify the "Naval Arms Limitation Treaty"! I believe that as soon as we establish a central government, they will recognize it as soon as possible."

The atmosphere in the conference room became active, and members of the Standing Committee of the Kuomintang Central Committee whispered to each other.Judging from their expressions, they all seem to be in favor of establishing another central government. This matter seems to be somewhat beneficial to everyone, right?

Hu Hanmin, Chairman Hu Da, who presided over the meeting, just looked at the bustle below with a smile, and coughed lightly when he saw that the atmosphere was getting better.All voices suddenly fell down.He smiled and pressed Chiang Kai-shek's hand next to him, with a look of confidence.

"Brother Jieshi, the CCP is now using their central status to suppress us internationally. If this continues, it may affect the five-year plan, and it will also be very detrimental to our relationship with the big powers! And our national government. Exaggerate a bit Er said. It is already two-thirds of the world, and it is impossible to be a grandson with your tail between your legs. The leaders of the CCP, the Northeast Army, the Youth Army, and the Jin Army are not fools. Don’t they see it? Our ambition? So it’s time to change the strategy of becoming king slowly.”