Beiyang reactionaries

The navy has developed rapidly in recent years, but the cabinet has always wanted to continue to invest money in the navy.However, the army's military expenditure has been very small, and Sugiyama Moto must strive for more benefits for the army.

"Master Lu, your Ministry of the Army has made a detailed military expansion plan. With the current situation, the Army should indeed expand its military."

"Prime Minister, our Army Department has already prepared a military expansion plan."

"Okay, let's talk about it next time."

Now that the fight has started, there is no need to follow the steps.It's time to expand the army.

"Everyone, the current situation is beneficial to us, but we have to be cautious every step of the way. Therefore, I don't want internal problems, and I ask everyone to cooperate closely."

"Yes."

"That means Borneo (Kalimantan) is completely in the hands of the Japanese?"

"Yes. Just now, all members of the 22nd Infantry Brigade of the Malay Army have surrendered, and there are no large-scale troops in the whole of Borneo. The others are the local troops and police forces in Borneo, and they are now surrendering to the army of the Republic of Indonesia one after another. .It can be said that Borneo has completely fallen into the hands of the Japanese and Republic of Indonesia troops.”

"Vulnerable."

Duan Xun shook his head.

The combat effectiveness of the colonial army is too poor, and there is no cohesion, let alone the idea of ​​fighting to the death for the colonial country.The 22nd Infantry Brigade and the 27th Infantry Brigade of the Malay Army were troops trained by Robert Popham for more than a year after he came to the Far East.And I also helped them change some weapons and equipment. Although there are no weapons like tanks, they are fully equipped with cannons and machine guns.At that time, the purpose of forming the Malay Army was to fight against the increasingly powerful Japanese army.

It's a pity that it was useless at all, and the whole army was wiped out after being hammered by the Japanese army.

Of course it is also understandable.In these so-called colonial armies, except for the officers who were British, the rest were all locals.The treatment of British officers is high, while the treatment of Malay officers and soldiers is low, and they are also discriminated against by those British officers.These Malay troops bully and bully the domestic resistance forces, and it is okay to maintain order in the colonies.Real knives and real guns fought against elite troops like the Japanese army, how could they be opponents.

Moreover, the Indonesian Republic chanted the slogan of restoring sovereignty, which also made the Malay soldiers agree.Therefore, they don't want to really fight to the death, so there is no morale at all when fighting.The slightest attack will surrender.

"What about the actions of the rest of the British troops?"

"Stay still."

You Min is in charge of the intelligence agency and reports the intelligence obtained from Nanyang.There is a reason, or should be said, that the colonial countries in Nanyang have always been wary of overseas Chinese.Not to mention that Chinese and overseas Chinese occupy an absolute hegemony in the Nanyang economy, there are many other reasons.

Chinese and overseas Chinese like to get together.Based on their occupations, their hometowns, or their political views, they gathered together under various names to form organizations one after another.Coupled with the strong rise of China in recent years, its influence in Nanyang is growing.As a result, all overseas Chinese organizations in Nanyang are basically units under the Chinese Federation of Overseas Chinese.The influence of the Overseas Chinese Federation in Nanyang is astonishing.

It has reached the point where even the colonial government is afraid.Because of something, the Chinese Federation of Overseas Chinese raised their arms and called out, and all the organizations of those Chinese and overseas Chinese responded in unison.If you want money, you have money, and you have people, which seriously affects the authority of the colonial government.The Overseas Chinese Federation has overwhelming advantages in Nanyang in terms of politics, economy, education, and public opinion.

Moreover, the strength of the Overseas Chinese Federation has brought about the popularity of Chinese intelligence agencies in Nanyang.

There is simply no way to stop it.

China's intelligence agencies are developing aggressively among Chinese and overseas Chinese.Even Chinese intelligence personnel are lurking in various cities in Southeast Asia in various identities.At present, Nanyang's intelligence system is not comparable to that of China.

Where there are Chinese, there are Chinese intelligence agencies.

"Currently, whether it is the British Far East Fleet, the British Indian Army, or the No.18 Division of the British Army (the troops stationed in Singapore), there is no movement. It is just that the British Far East Army is currently building some defensive fronts and has begun to train new recruits. .Others seem to have no action, and there is no plan to recover Borneo."

"Is this how the two sides confront each other?"

"Yes."

August 1938, 8, was a very special day.

The Japanese army's attack on Machen was supposed to be the beginning of World War II.Because this is the first time that a country directly attacked the British army after the end of World War I.Japan's attack on the British colonial army was equivalent to declaring war on Britain.As long as Japan declares war on Britain, Germany and Italy also declare war on the alliance agreement.As an ally of Britain, France will definitely follow suit.At that time, it will be a war between the military groups headed by Britain and France and the military groups headed by Germany, Italy, and Japan, which is equivalent to a world war.But Japan and the United Kingdom are very interesting. Although they have already fought in Kalimantan, neither side has declared war.

Moreover, Japan had already controlled Kalimantan Island in just a few days, but Britain did not want to counterattack, and Japan did not continue to attack, reaching a delicate balance.After Japan took control of Kalimantan, it stopped.

Many people who study history later did not choose the date of World War II as August 1938, 8.Because many historical researchers believe that this war is just a continuation of the appeasement policy of Britain and France.The United Kingdom is only tough, but in fact chose to back down from Japan's occupation of Kalimantan.The British Far East Fleet did not attack.

Of course, there are many historians who refute this statement.

It is believed that August 8th was the beginning of World War II.Because this day is the day when Japan actually went to war with Britain.

"Prime Minister, I think the time has come to negotiate with France."

"negotiation?"

"Yes."

Yan Huiqing spoke.

Dao: "The third five-year plan of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has three main goals. One is to solve the Macao problem, the other is to solve the Hong Kong problem, and the last is to solve the problems between China, France and China. We have solved the problems of Macao and Hong Kong. What's left is with France. Now Germany, Italy, and Japan have signed the "Triple Alliance Treaty" to challenge Britain and France on the European continent. Moreover, Japan has won Borneo in Southeast Asia and directly confronted Britain. This is already a restraint Britain and France have a lot of strength, and now is the time for our country to solve the problems left over from France."

"Timing, timing. Premier Yan thinks now is the best timing?"

"Yes."

Duan Xun turned his head to Dai Kan and said, "Prime Minister Dai, what do you think?"

"I also think the timing is very good. At present, Britain and France have to deal with the challenges of Germany, Italy, and Japan, and they don't want to offend us together. Even recently, Britain and France have shown goodwill to my country frequently, hoping to stabilize our country and prevent it from being Our country has also joined the 'Triple Alliance Treaty'. Under such circumstances, I think it is time to renegotiate with France. As long as our country does not make territorial claims on French colonies like Japan, and only changes some terms, I think it is completely appropriate Yes. In order to stabilize our country, France will definitely back down."

"Prime Minister Wang."

Duan Xun turned to Wang Yongjiang again.

Wang Yongjiang also nodded and said: "In recent years, the trade between my country and French Indochina has been expanding. Many goods exported to Europe go directly to Yunnan and Vietnam. It is not going to go to Chongqing to take the Yangtze River route, nor to go to Guangxi and Guangdong to take the Hong Kong route. French businessmen are also more active in the southwest. At this time, a more clear contract is signed with France, rather than the general "Sino-French New Treaty" of the past. The additional clauses of this contract, but a brand new treaty, are beneficial to both our country and France."

"it is good."

The time for the third five-year plan is also approaching, which is about the same as Duan Xun's tenure.Since these things already existed when the third five-year plan was formulated, it is also appropriate to negotiate with France.

And now is the best time.

When France is destroyed by Germany, there will be problems in negotiations.Who are you negotiating with?

"Two-pronged approach to quickly resolve the problems left over from the 'Sino-French New Treaty'. First, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs formally contacted France to express our country's dissatisfaction with the 'Sino-French New Treaty' signed after the Sino-French War that year, and the Vietnam border signed later. Dissatisfied with the "Commercial Charter", "Continued Negotiation of Interstate Affairs Special Articles" and "Continued Discussion of Commercial Special Provisions". Tell them that our country does not agree with these contracts of the year, because these are unequal treaties that France used force to oppress our country to sign We hope to re-sign the contract with France and abolish these original unequal treaties. If France does not accept our proposal, then our country will unilaterally announce the abolition of these treaties. Second, let our troops quickly gather on the southwest border , Take an offensive posture. Oppress France militarily, let France sit at the negotiating table. Solve this problem as soon as possible.”

In fact, up to now, there are not many problems with the "Sino-French New Treaty" that was scolded very much back then, as well as the subsequent agreements.Because most of the trade terms signed at the beginning are now accepted by China.

Because China also wants to do business.

But what China cannot accept is that France used force to force China to sign these contracts.Therefore, even if the content of the newly signed contract is similar to the "Sino-French New Treaty", China will have to re-sign with France.

And of course the border terms, as well as the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway, which is currently controlled by France, will need to be renegotiated.And the "Sino-French New Testament" that year completely abolished China's suzerainty over Vietnam.This renegotiation must restore China's influence over Vietnam.Let France admit that China should also have some special interests in Vietnam.

"Yes."

Yan Huiqing nodded.

As long as the formulation of a new treaty with France is completed, the third five-year plan of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can be successfully completed.Yan Huiqing, the deputy prime minister in charge of foreign affairs, has achieved very good results in the third five-year plan.

"Prime Minister, how should we respond to the question of Japan placing a large number of naval orders with our shipyards?"

Japan's action is still very fast.

Hirota Koni has already discussed with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs about cooperation between China and Japan.In particular, Japan placed orders with Chinese shipyards and ordered a large number of naval warships from China.