Beiyang reactionaries

I don't care about the attitude of Britain, France and the United States at all.

And it's fast.

It took only one and a half hours for the Japanese Nanyang Fleet to wipe out the entire Dutch Far East Fleet.In fact, Japan only damaged one warship in the Dutch Far East Fleet, and all the remaining warships hoisted the white flag.Because the strength of the two sides is not at the same level at all.The remaining warships in the Netherlands are small gunboats, which cannot compete with real warships at all.

This war is a completely unequal battle.

The port of Manado fell that day.The Japanese Marine Corps quickly took control of the port of Manado, and soon the Japanese Army troops began to land from here one after another.Japan's actions are too fast, and all countries know that it is only a matter of time before Sulawesi is occupied by Japan.The Netherlands doesn't have many army troops in Sulawesi at all, and they are all colonial troops.In the face of the Japanese army, there is no resistance at all.

And what happened on this day is not just this thing. On September 1936, 9, the first Asia United Conference of the Asia United Organization was held on this day.Japan also happened to choose this day to start the war.

Japan has chosen this day specifically.

In this session, representatives of five sovereign states, one self-government, and three regional political parties came.The five sovereign states are China, Japan, North Korea, the Republic of Indonesia, and Siam (Thailand).A representative of an autonomous government is the Sumatra Autonomous Government currently supported by China.

"Special Envoy Shi, doesn't your country have any explanation?"

"Ambassador Cadogan, I don't quite understand what the ambassador means."

Singapore.

China and the UK have been negotiating in Singapore for nearly half a year, but many issues still cannot be discussed.Both China and the UK have the idea of ​​cooperation, but there are too many historical problems left by the two countries.

China believes that the current China can already sit on an equal footing with the great powers.Those unequal treaties left over from history must be abolished one by one, but Britain believes that China is just a rising star.Many of the conditions put forward by China, the United Kingdom believes that they are too excessive and cannot agree to all of them.

Of course, there is still a lot of progress in the negotiations between the two sides.

It's just that some parts with relatively large differences have not been able to be discussed.But for now, the pressure on the UK is increasing.Because when the two sides are negotiating, the world situation has changed a lot.Just one and a half months ago, Italy signed the "Anti-Comintern Pact", allowing Germany to finally break through the diplomatic dilemma in Europe, and Hitler became even more arrogant.Look at the current Germany and Italy, sending troops into Spain, supporting Franco while training the combat effectiveness of their own troops.The situation in Germany and Italy has made Britain dare not be careless in Europe.

Unexpectedly, Japan has started to make trouble again now, and it is directly going to war without declaring it.

The British, French and American countries are not taken seriously at all, and they fight as soon as they say they want to fight in the Nanyang region.Hitler and Mussolini in Europe have already caused headaches for the UK and involved a lot of energy in the UK.Now Japan's actions in Nanyang have made Britain feel tremendous pressure in the Far East.

So Alexander Cadogan was in a hurry, and immediately came to the location of the Chinese delegation.

In comparison, Shi Zhaoji was very calm.

After leaving the UK and resigning from the post of ambassador to the UK and returning to China, Shi Zhaoji originally planned to replace Yan Shichao as the Minister of Foreign Affairs.But because of the negotiations with the United Kingdom, the process was delayed.As the Chinese ambassador to the UK for many years, Shi Zhaoji presided over the negotiations with the UK in Singapore as the special ambassador of China.

The current world situation is very favorable for China.

The turmoil in Europe and the turmoil in Southeast Asia do not involve China's interests, but are all harming the interests of Britain.Therefore, the most troublesome situation in the current situation is the United Kingdom.Although China has many problems left over from history to be resolved, as long as it is stable, there are not many things that threaten China's interests at this stage.

On the contrary, because of China's status in the Far East, whether Britain, France, Germany or Italy, they are all trying to win over China.Even the Soviet Union, which is currently at odds with China, is also conducting some negotiations with China because of the unstable situation in Europe.Including in order to stabilize China and Germany, so the trade channel between China and Germany has not been completely cut off.In other words, the current situation in China, because there is no core interest conflict with many great powers, has become a sweet pastry for them to win each other.The world situation has changed rapidly in the past few months, but it is a good thing for China.So China is not in a hurry, and neither is Shi Zhaoji.

"Special Envoy Shi, I think you should have received the news. The Japanese Nanyang Fleet has taken control of the port of Manado, and their army troops have begun to land."

"Yes."

"Special Envoy Shi, you are holding the Asia Joint Conference in Tokyo, but the Japanese Navy is attacking the Dutch Far East Fleet. Shouldn't your country say something about it?"

"Ha ha."

Shi Zhaoji smiled calmly.

Then he said: "Ambassador Cadogan, I really don't understand what you mean. Our convening of the Asian Joint Conference was decided a year ago when Prime Minister Duan Xun and Japanese Cabinet Prime Minister Yoshiichi Tanaka negotiated. Japan's actions this time have nothing to do with it. Our country did not know anything about the actions of the Japanese navy before. And even if we knew, it would be impossible for our country to stop the actions of the Japanese navy. Because our country has no position, no qualifications, to restrict The actions of the Japanese Navy."

Alexander Cadogan was very angry when he saw Shi Zhaoji's unhurried response to him.

Alexander Cadogan absolutely did not believe China's claim that it had no prior knowledge of the actions of the Japanese Navy.Although China and Japan have not formed a military alliance, the series of agreements signed by China and Japan have given the two countries the basis for a military alliance.Even the relationship between China and Japan is far better than the relationship with Germany.Otherwise, the two countries would not have formed a joint fleet last year.

There is also a lot of military cooperation between the two countries.

China leased some important ports in Guangdong and Qiongya to Japan, allowing Japan to build a military port there, and a large number of Japanese naval warships were stationed there.In return, Japan handed over some warship technology to China.Especially the complete set of destroyer technology of about [-] tons, Japan has completely handed over to China.Moreover, it also dispatched technical experts to guide the Chinese shipyard and let China's Dalian Shipyard build its own destroyer.Of course, Japan says it is a destroyer, but in the European system, a destroyer with this tonnage and firepower configuration is no longer a destroyer, but a light cruiser.There is even news recently that Japan has begun to sell its aircraft carrier technology to China and Germany.

With such a close cooperative relationship, Alexander Cadogan didn't believe Wei Chen's team at all.

Although Shi Zhaoji was telling the truth.China really did not receive information that Japan was going to do it before.

"Special Envoy Shi, the stability of Nanyang needs to be jointly maintained by our two countries."

"Ambassador Cadogan, our country is very willing to make some contributions to the stability of Nanyang. But you should know that our country has not even solved our own problems, so how can we have the energy to intervene in Nanyang affairs. You see, our two countries have already negotiated in Singapore After half a year, many problems have not been solved. The Nanyang problem is more complicated and more changeable, and it needs to be solved with great efforts. Only when our country solves its own problems first can we have spare energy to solve other people's problems."

Alexander Cadogan frowned.

Of course he understood Shi Zhaoji's meaning.One of the most important issues in this negotiation between China and the United Kingdom is the Hong Kong issue.China wants to take back Hong Kong's sovereignty, while the UK has been dragging its feet.

Shi Zhaoji's meaning is very simple.

If the Hong Kong issue is not resolved, China will definitely not participate in the Nanyang issue.In other words, China will not care about the current situation in Japan.Britain does not want to return Hong Kong to China, because with Hong Kong as a foothold, Britain can radiate a large area around it.Without Hong Kong, Britain's influence in this region will also be greatly reduced.

"Oh, that's right. Ambassador Cadogan, I just received a domestic telegram. The actions of the Japanese navy this time shocked our country and made us feel that Nanyang is still not peaceful. For the safety of our nationals in Nanyang, Also in order to protect the security of the Sumatra Autonomous Government, our country has decided to send a division of the army, two divisions of the air force, and two destroyers to Sumatra Island. And it is going to help the Sumatra Autonomous Government form a division of the army. I think this matter Your country should be informed."

"Your country is going to increase its troops in Sumatra?"

"Yes."

Shi Zhaoji nodded. (The last chapter was wrongly written, it was not Wei Chen Group, but Shi Zhaoji. The things in the previous chapter have been changed)

After getting Shi Zhaoji's clear answer, Alexander Cadogan frowned slightly.

China wants to add one division of the army, two divisions of the air force, and two destroyers, and also help the Sumatra Autonomous Government to equip a division of the army.If these are completed, China will have three divisions and an army force of nearly 5 people in Sumatra.There will also be about [-] aircraft, four destroyers, and many warships such as torpedo boats and small-tonnage gunboats.

Once this is the case, China's military strength in Sumatra is already stronger than that of the Dutch colonists back then.Especially for the army, 5 troops are not a small number in Nanyang.Even though the old colonial countries such as Britain and France have operated in Nanyang for many years, most of their army troops in Nanyang are composed of colonial natives.These troops are thousands of miles worse than their regular troops in terms of combat effectiveness.

This is not a good thing.

One Japan has made Britain feel the pressure in the Far East.

If China wants to wade through the muddy waters in Nanyang and start deploying troops there, it will definitely be detrimental to Britain.What's more, Sumatra directly faces the Strait of Malacca, directly facing the British Far East Fleet Command.

"Ambassador Cadogan, the situation in Nanyang is unstable now, and there is nothing we can do. Since the Sumatra Autonomous Government was established with our support, we should ensure the safety of the Autonomous Government. The increase in the army is only to maintain the stability of Sumatra and the people of Sumatra. safety."

Shi Zhaoji briefly explained.

But Alexander Cadogan didn't listen to Shi Zhaoji's explanation.Alexander Cadogan was hesitating.

He understood what Shi Zhaoji meant.What China wants is Hong Kong and more influence in the Far East.Including Britain's recognition that China has the right to intervene in Nanyang.It's not about the Chinese army, but when something happens in Nanyang, China should be notified and China should be discussed.That is to say, China should have the same power in Nanyang as the colonial countries such as Britain, France and the United States.

This is what China wants.

Britain hopes that China can stabilize Japan, so it is willing to pull China into its side and maintain the stability of Nanyang together.But what the UK wants is only for China to persuade Japan, not for China to really intervene in Nanyang affairs. China really has the right to speak in Nanyang.

But China's attitude is already obvious.

If Britain disagrees, not only will China not persuade Japan, but it will stand on Japan's side and continue to confuse the situation in Nanyang.Looking at China's current attitude, taking advantage of this opportunity, it will instead send more troops to Nanyang.

Alexander Cadogan shudders at the thought of China deploying hundreds of aircraft in Sumatra.