New Warlords 1909

Hua Fei's final list of 2 recommenders was obviously far beyond everyone's expectations.

Xu Fei, deputy director of the Finance Department, the current financial secretary is considered an old man of the autonomous government, but Xu Zhenfei is not considered Hua Fei's direct confidant, especially when he is still very young, and his qualifications have no foundation in the national defense department.The reason why he was appointed as the Financial Secretary was because of his outstanding ability. How could he be chosen?

If the name Xu Zhenfei only aroused some people's discussion, he is also one of the important figures in the autonomous government.Another name, which is very incomprehensible, is Gu Weijun.

Gu Weijun is the envoy to the United States, how do you think it is an appointment by the central government? Before that, I never heard of Hua Fei's friendship with this envoy to the United States. Is it because of the short visit to the United States?But even if you value Gu Weijun very much, you have to understand that he is from the central government or in other words, he is from the Beiyang Department.

Of course Hua Fei understood what he was doing. The reason why he recommended Gu Weijun was not only because of Gu Weijun’s help during his stay in the United States and his contribution to the signing of the alliance agreement, but more importantly, Hua Fei discovered that the young diplomat had a deep heart. That mass of burning guns and flames and familiarity with international law.In addition, Hua Fei will not forget that Gu Weijun, the number one diplomat in the Republic of China, is the honorary title given to this young man by later history.

The Beiyang Department looked at it, and it was too late to be happy. You must know that this name was originally on their recommendation list.So Beijing quickly changed Gu Weijun's name to Shi Zhaoji, Minister to the UK, and the other was the team leader, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lu Zhengxiang.The representatives sent by the southern provinces were Wang Zhengting, who formed a five-member negotiating representative team and prepared to go to Paris.

Whether it is out of respect for the vice president or because it is not only comfortable and convenient to take a boat from Shanghai, the delegation arrived in Shanghai and will go directly to Paris from Shanghai.Lu Zhengxiang, who had just arrived in Shanghai, was terrified by the delegation sent by Hua Fei. There were more than 100 people, not even one person.

At the banquet to receive the delegation, Hua Fei also gave a good explanation. These people are all talents in various aspects carefully selected by Hua Fei. The state seeks the greater good.

"Friends!" Holding the wine glass, Hua Fei shouted to the people attending the banquet, and the whole banquet fell silent instantly.Those who are familiar with Hua Fei know that the commander is going to mobilize before leaving, and those who are not familiar with Hua Fei are all looking at Hua Fei curiously, not understanding why this young man who is famous all over the world has such great charm.

"After drinking this glass of wine, you will temporarily leave your hometown, leave your motherland, and go to far away Paris. You don't go to Paris to drink or argue! Then someone will ask, what are we going to do? Let me tell you , you are going to fight!"

"Our brave and heroic soldiers shed blood in Europe, and our kind and hardworking Chinese workers shed sweat in Europe. Why did we participate in the European war? Why did we pay so much hard work and blood and sweat? We are here today, for The most important thing is that we can fight for our legitimate rights and interests as a sovereign country with the status of a victorious country. Defend the dignity of our country, take our firm steps for the goal of our rejuvenation, and for the prosperity of our country!"

"Go and fight bravely. You only need to firmly believe that we are behind you to support you. Behind you are me, a powerful national defense force, a powerful Chinese Communist, and [-] million Chinese compatriots. You are not alone , you are not fighting alone!"

"With this glass of wine, I wish you an early triumph. I will sweep the bed and wait for your good news! Do it!"

"Dry!"

"Do it! Do it!"

233 Get a lot of big warships

In the delegation sent by Fei, there are not only various types of professional talents, but also selected national defense force security personnel, who will be responsible for the security-related affairs of the delegation during its stay in France.Of course, Li Yue, who is now one of Hua Fei's most important advisers, would certainly not miss such a feast.For this reason, he also crammed up on the relevant knowledge of international law for nearly a month, which can be said to have done enough homework.In addition, Li Yue also holds Hua Fei's bottom line on the Paris negotiations and has other secret tasks.

In March, the Paris Peace Conference was fully convened, and the Chinese delegation with Gu Weijun as the plenipotentiary negotiator proposed nine peace proposals to the conference. 3. Abolish the spheres of influence of various countries in China, and abolish the indemnity agreements signed between the Qing Dynasty and other countries. 2. Withdraw the troops and patrol police of various countries in China, and leave the safety of the people of all countries to China. 3. Acquisition of related facilities in China of post offices and wired and wireless telegraph agencies in various countries.Revoke the consular jurisdiction signed by various countries and China. 5. Return the leased land and concessions of various countries. 6. Cancellation of tariff agreement rights, inland waterway shipping privileges, road conditions and other privileges, all foreign businessmen doing business in China must abide by the law, and no longer enjoy privileges beyond nationals. 7. Submit the issue of Taiwan occupied by Japan, the issue of Ryukyu, and Japan's occupation of the former German colonies in the Pacific Ocean, the Mariana Islands, Marshall Islands, and Jaroline Islands, to the General Assembly for consideration. 8. About Germany's compensation to China. 9. On behalf of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, he submitted a proposal to the General Assembly to stop the civil strife in Russia and request countries to step up their efforts to intervene.

Among the nine major proposals, except for the last one, which is a friendship proposal, all others are related to China's core interests.Since the Shandong issue has been resolved by Huafei armed forces, the issues on the table are now replaced by the Ryukyu and Taiwan issues.In summary, there are only two core features of the several major proposals. One is to abolish all the privileges of various countries in China, and to abolish all unequal treaties signed before.Second, as the victors, we should get the war compensation we deserve.

However, in order to reduce the conflicts of various countries and the difficulty of negotiations, Hua Fei and the representatives of the negotiating team decided to split the negotiations after discussion.There are countless small ones under each big one, the purpose of which is to abolish all the unequal treaties signed between China and other countries that are still in effect since the Opium War.Although this is the best result, Hua Fei also knows that it is very difficult.Although you are a victorious country, although your contribution to the war is not small, and although you have helped many people during the pandemic, there are not many emotions that can be discussed in politics. The final decision is the national strength of each country and the efforts of negotiations.

Hua Fei does not hope that all proposals can be passed, but there are a few points that Hua Fei strongly insists on.One is to abolish all war indemnities to other countries, mainly boxer indemnities.This is not difficult. Historically, since the United States voluntarily abolished the boxer indemnity, all countries have stopped demanding indemnity from China after World War I, except Japan.With Hua Fei's contribution and influence to World War I, the achievement of this goal is still very promising.

Second, the political and economic privileges of various countries in the military, patrol police, extraordinary consular jurisdiction, tariff agreement, etc.Because this is not only directly related to the sovereignty of the country, but also has an incalculable impact on the country's judicial system and economic development.Especially the tariff agreement right, the restoration of the industrial capacity of various countries after World War I will inevitably have a great impact on China.The tariff autonomy is to ensure that the nascent national industry, especially the private light industry, has a better development environment.As for the issue of taking back the concessions of various countries, I am afraid that it will be very difficult to negotiate at the peace meeting.

Three, Ryukyu, Taiwan, and the three groups of issues in the Pacific Ocean. These places are now under the control of the Japanese. It is tantamount to fantasy to get these areas back through negotiations.What Hua Fei has to do is to internationalize this incident and let people all over the world know the illegality of Japan's occupation of Ryukyu and Taiwan.Regarding the issue of the three islands in the Pacific Ocean, during Hua Fei’s visit to the United States, he reached an agreement with the President of the United States, and he was not willing to put forward a proposal to jointly take over the three islands with Hua Fei in peace negotiations, and hand them over to China for management within five years.

Fourth, it is about the issue of indemnity. Countries such as Germany and Austria belonged to the defeated countries. Before China’s indemnity to them, the privileges of several other countries in China will of course be cancelled.The core of the issue of compensation is the loss of money and goods. According to international law, only the victorious country that has fought with the defeated country is eligible to receive war compensation.Therefore, Hua Fei resolutely sent troops to Europe at the beginning, also in order to determine the legal compensation status of China's belligerent and victorious countries in the legal sense after the war.

In the historical Versailles Peace Treaty, Germany had to pay a huge sum of 320 million marks. Even if the amount was later reduced to 32 grams, based on the 30C% of Huafei’s share, it would still be [-] grams, or more than [-] billion U.S. dollars.This amount will definitely have a huge impetus to the development of the autonomous region and even China. Of course, it is impossible for the Germans to pay off the compensation in one go.

Therefore, for Hua Fei, the most useful thing is to divide the spoils of arms.It is not uncommon for the army to equip Huafei, and most of the air force equips Huafei with disdain. Only the German navy warships really make Huafei covet.In history, the strength of the German High Seas Fleet was one of the best. It was only because of geographical restrictions and strategic passiveness. Perhaps it should be that their opponent, the United Kingdom, was too strong, so their sea fleet did not have many eye-catching records. Let their submarines coquettish for decades.

But those warships.For Hua Fei.But what an opportunity.Not to mention that the shipbuilding capabilities and technology of the autonomous region still need to be improved.Even the shipyards in the autonomous region can now build [-] to [-] tons of battle cruisers.battleship.It still requires incomparable funds and time.In order to build a powerful naval fleet.

but.in the foreseeable future.China for the Ryukyu and Taiwan issues.Conflict with Japan is inevitable.How to quickly develop and build a powerful navy capable of confronting the Japanese navy.It is a question that Hua Fei must consider.

From the very beginning of the negotiations at the Paris Peace Conference.Newspapers in the autonomous region and even in China began to follow up and report on a large scale.Its warm and pompous.I am afraid that since the birth of the Chinese newspaper industry.The grandest scene.

Even those illiterate white men.He is also very concerned about national affairs.They are concerned about all the progress of the Chinese delegation and the French Prime Minister Tiger Clemenceau.British Prime Minister Law and George.The names of foreigners such as President Wilson of the United States are familiar to three-year-old children.

while those in Europe

The soldiers of the Defense Forces and hundreds of thousands of Chinese workers also returned to the country one after another.Received a warm and spontaneous welcome.The trip to Europe not only allowed those recruits to be greatly trained, but also allowed countless officers of the National Defense Forces to see the war situation on a larger scale.Learned a lot of war experience from European counterparts.Especially battlefield experience.It is tantamount to pulling almost all the middle and lower-level officers of the National Defense Forces to Europe for an actual military school training in turn.its value and significance.For the National Defense Forces, it is undoubtedly a huge fortune.

A large number of workers returned to China, not only bringing back a large amount of wages, stimulating the domestic consumer market, but what is even more rare is that many people have been trained and exercised in various types of work.It is equivalent to using the resources and production of European countries to train a large number of workers who can go out as teachers. Most of them are directly absorbed and taken over by the autonomous region, which greatly relieves the shortage of skilled workers in the autonomous region and meets the needs of workers for national construction and industrial development. It has laid the necessary prerequisites for the next step of rapid development.

In Europe, Li Yue and others hardly stopped for a moment.They not only have to deal with the issue of the return of soldiers of the National Defense Forces in Europe, the settlement of wages and remuneration of Chinese workers, the issue of pensions for soldiers and Chinese workers who died in battle, and the issue of returning home.After dealing with these matters, he led a team to intensively visit the heads of state and negotiators of Belgium, Portugal, Italy, the United States and other countries to win their support for China's proposal.

Due to the good relations formed with other countries during the pandemic and the fact that there were not many conflicts of interest, the lobbying actions of Li Yue and others still received positive responses.Then the Chinese delegation met with the French Prime Minister and the British Prime Minister. Both countries expressed their importance to China's proposal and expressed their understanding of the conflict of interests with Japan.Both countries recognized that China had made great contributions to the victory of the war, and both countries expressed their support for the demand for compensation.Although the British Prime Minister advocated leniency for Germany, compared with the harsh conditions proposed by France, the demands made by the Chinese delegation seem reasonable on the surface.The only thing that makes several countries unhappy is that if you ask for compensation, you can ask for compensation. Why do you tie the rights and interests of various countries in China? This is unacceptable.

As the peace conference progressed, Chinese representatives and Japanese representatives had many heated debates at the peace conference. Gu Weijun's quick thinking, excellent debate and humor in line with Western habits quickly became a striking highlight of the peace conference. , was reported by European newspapers.

After the stop of Britain and France, the confrontation between the Chinese and Japanese delegations was suspended, so the focus of the Chinese delegation's negotiations quickly shifted to the abolition of indemnities to other countries, the abolition of the privileges and war indemnities of various countries in China.The first two are mainly negotiated by Gu Weijun and others. As the central government in name, they dare not relax in the two negotiations no matter whether it is political needs or interests.Li Yue and others, together with Xu Zhenfei, were mainly responsible for Germany's war reparations and military weapon compensation.In terms of weapon compensation, Li Yue focused on compensation for naval warships according to Hua Fei's order.

After the uprising of the German sailors, more than a dozen warships of the High Seas Fleet unloaded their artillery launchers, left Wilhelmshaven, and sailed to Scapa Flow, England, to be monitored by the Allied Powers.You must know that these more than 70 warships can be described as almost all the strength of the German High Seas Fleet, and they are the essence of the main force.Historically, the German navy has always believed that they have not failed, so many German sailors feel aggrieved that the British took them captive.Later, because he misunderstood the results of the negotiations, the naval commander von Ruyter ordered the entire fleet to sink, which was called Operation Rainbow.

When Hua Fei knew about Operation Rainbow, he sent dozens of carefully selected National Defense Force guards to accompany the delegation to France in casual clothes. The purpose was not only to protect the safety of the delegation members, but also to protect the few A Huafei is bound to win the warship's goal.

List, Derfflinger-class battlecruisers, Derfflinger and Hindenburg.The design displacement of this class of ships is 26600~: full load displacement is 31200~:.Among them, because the Hindenburg was replaced with a stronger three-legged main mast, a shooting command post was set up on the mast, and the speed was improved to become slightly faster, so the design displacement was 26947~:, and the maximum displacement was as high as 31500~: when fully loaded.

The size of this class of ships is 2104 meters long, 28 meters wide, and 95 meters deep.The power is 63000 coal-fired boiler, the power of the main engine is as high as 26 horsepower, and the high speed reaches 4 knots. The cruise speed of 620 knots can reach nautical miles, and the improved Hindenburg can reach [-]C nautical miles.

德弗林格尔战列巡洋舰装备8门双装305毫米/50倍口径主炮；１2门单装１50毫米/45倍口径副炮(兴登堡号１)；8门单装88毫米炮(19166年部分拆除)；500毫米鱼雷发射管(水线下安装)。

主装甲带最大装甲厚度为300mmm，甲65-25mmm，水密舱隔板250mmm，炮塔正面270mmmi挥塔350mmm。

In terms of main engine and firepower, the Derfflinger-class battlecruiser may not be the most advanced in the world, but the excellent hull damage design and strong armor defense of this class of ships have withstood the test of actual combat.In the Battle of Jutland, the Derfflinger battlecruiser sank the Royal Navy's Queen Mary and the Invincible in battle, and was hit 7 times by the British ship's large-caliber armor-piercing projectile. It is indeed admirable to return to the port safely.

This is why Hua Fei must win this, not only because the design structure of the ship is a good learning material for the autonomous region, but also because this class of ship has passed the test of intense actual combat, which is undoubtedly very important for the autonomous region's navy. important.

In addition, the Mackensen-class battlecruiser, the successor to the Derfflinger-class battlecruiser, is also in Huafei's plan.The Mackensen-class battlecruiser has an enlarged hull based on the Derfflinger-class battlecruiser, with a design displacement of 31000~: and a large displacement of 35300~:, equipped with 8 newly designed 350 mm double-caliber main guns to compensate for the main guns. The center of gravity brought about by the increased weight of the turret has moved up, and the installation position of the secondary battery has moved down one deck.The maximum output power of the power plant is 85000 horsepower and the speed reaches 28 knots.

However, the new battlecruisers of this class were at the end of the war

The construction has not yet been completed, and all of them are stranded in German ports.Therefore, during the negotiations, it is not impossible to make this request. After the agreement is over, it may be possible to buy back those warships in other ways.

In addition, what Hua Fei wanted most was the Bavarian-class battleship, which was the latest battleship designed and built by Germany. It was equipped with a 5-inch main gun to fight against the British Elizabeth-class battleship.The main gun turret adopts the same ~? symmetrical layout as the Queen Elizabeth class, and a solid three-legged mast is designed, and a firing director is set up on the mast tower.The Bavarian class focuses on protection capabilities. Its side and horizontal armor thickness exceeds that of the Queen Elizabeth class of the British Navy, and its protection range is more comprehensive.

At this time, only two ships of this class have been completed, and the other two have not yet been completed.Because of the powerful power of battleships, this is similar to the big killer of later generations, so countries are very sensitive to battleships.The possibility of getting one or two battleships is very small.Hua Fei's biggest expectation is to get a Bavarian-class battleship or two König-class battleships. Even if it fails, Hua Fei also hopes to buy the two Bavarian-class battleships that are still unfinished.

Sure enough, as Hua Fei expected, the negotiations on the compensation and the Derfflinger-class battlecruiser were relatively smooth, but there can only be one Derfflinger, and the brand-new Hindenburg cannot be given to you. Drive home.And when it comes to the battleship issue, the British attitude is very firm.If you want a battleship, you can, at most a King-class battleship, and if you want a Bavarian-class?The British themselves are still coveting it, how could it be given to you?

Because Hua Fei once leased the battlecruiser Kirishima, which was captured from Japan and later renamed the Sheshan Island, to the United Kingdom.And I don't know if it's because the warships built by the Japanese are too unbeatable, or the British don't regard the rented warships as treasures.During the escort in the Atlantic Ocean, the Sheshan Island, whose displacement was almost the same as that of Derfflinger, was sunk alive in an encounter with the German High Seas Fleet Squadron.When the news spread to China, many officers and soldiers of the Navy were greatly saddened. If the British hadn't quickly declared high-priced compensation, I am afraid that a destroyer fleet of the autonomous region that was escorting the Mediterranean Sea would call back home.

So Li Yue and others used this matter to discuss and talk with the British, and after hard work, they finally exchanged the sacrifice of the Snake Mountain Island for the Hindenburg.The British bluntly said that this is the establishment that should belong to the British Royal Fleet, and now it should be regarded as compensation for the loss of the battlecruiser Sheshan Island in the autonomous region.

Li Yue and others tried their best to get two battlecruisers. Besides the destroyers, light cruisers, and submarines, the British were not stingy and seemed very generous.As for the mention of battleships, the British are very reluctant to mention the King-class battleships, let alone the Bavarian-class battleships.Even if Li Yue and the others used the unbalanced strength of the East Asian navy, coupled with the support of the Americans, countries such as Britain and France were unwilling. After all, the keyword battleship is too sensitive.

After receiving Li:'s telegram, Hua Fei was also a little troubled.It's not that Hua Fei is too picky, but because with the advancement of technology over the years, the speed of development and elimination of naval weapons is very fast.Even the King-class battleships, although they have not been in service for a long time, are no longer considered cash warships.Hua Fei is not after giant ships with cannons or battleships, but more for technology and deterrence.

Since Bavaria can't get it, two ships of this class are still under construction.Adding four unfinished Mackenson-class battlecruisers will be the focus of Hua Fei's efforts.The resistance to obtaining the unfinished Mackensen-class battlecruiser may be a little less than that of the Bavaria that has formed a combat force. What needs to be considered now is how to steal the sky and hide the truth from the intelligence personnel of Britain, France and other countries, and transfer the two unfinished Bavarian-class battleships , as a Mackensen-class battlecruiser and drove back to the autonomous region.

In addition, the Japanese reaction to this must be very fierce, how to achieve the greatest degree of secrecy, or how to minimize the Japanese reaction also needs to be considered.However, under normal circumstances, Hua Fei didn't believe that the Japanese would rashly launch an attack just because Hua Fei got several warships.Now they may still have a headache for the aftermath of the domestic flu.But just in case, Hua Fei still hopes to win the accompanying of the American fleet.

In July, the long negotiations entered the most difficult moment.In Scapa Flow, the Derfflinger, the battlecruiser Hindenburg and other German warships, there were many yellow-skinned Chinese who spoke proficient German.These people were ordered by the Chinese delegation at the peace conference to temporarily station on the warships that will be assigned to China, and in the name of crew and technicians, they first became familiar with the relevant operations and driving.

Since the German naval officers and soldiers left Weigang and came to Scapa Flow, they have clearly understood their fate today.Due to the good cooperation between China and Germany before, although China declared war on Germany, it still greatly protected the rights and interests of Germans in China.

Especially after the outbreak of the flu, China was even more under pressure to donate a lot of preventive medicines to Germany, which saved countless young people.In particular, the German navy has never had any confrontation with the Chinese navy at all, so they are much more repellent towards the arrival of the Chinese.