Chapter Eighteen: Diplomatic Trends

  "Well, Mr. Chairman, I will combine some historical materials from later generations to talk about my views. Please correct me!" He Jun knew that all the designs needed the decision of the current Chinese leader in front of him, and Chiang Kai-shek, who had rich political struggle experience, could also help himself improve his foreign strategy.

  "Firstly, it's Germany. Although diplomatic relations have been severed in name, and all German aid experts and funds have been withdrawn. However, in reality, Germany is mainly considering Japan's attitude, hoping that this ally can hold back the Soviet Union. So we can still maintain secret contact, exchanging some technology and resources with each other, such as methods to disrupt British radar reconnaissance and utilizing domestic resources, in exchange for mechanical equipment. After all, our current industry, especially military industry, is mainly based on German systems, making it easier to implement. However, this matter must be kept secret, because Germany is destined to lose the war, so it's best to do it in a non-governmental form."

  "Historically, after Germany occupied Europe, they committed a heinous crime. Nazi Germany slaughtered 5.7 million Jews, including 1.5 million Jewish children. From a humanitarian perspective, we should have stopped this massacre. However, our power was weak, so we could only do our best. From the perspective of our national interests, these Jews were experienced workers, technicians, and others who would be extremely helpful to China's construction if they could be rescued and brought back home. This would also gain us the goodwill of American Jews, who control America's economy, military, and even politics.

  He Juncai did not expect that his casual remark would lead to the creation of the "Schindler Plan" in later generations, which saved over 3 million Jews, making China the second country after the United States to become a haven for Jews. The Jewish state of Israel has always maintained top-level diplomatic relations with China."

  Then there is Britain, this old capitalist country that has already set in the west but still refuses to give up its position as a big power. At the beginning of World War II, Britain played an inglorious role.

  "Britain, to avoid being drawn into the war, was willing to sacrifice the interests of small countries, whether they were allies or not. When German troops entered the Rhineland, Britain did nothing; when Germany annexed Austria, Britain did nothing; when Germany wanted to annex Czechoslovakia, Britain helped arrange the Munich Agreement; and when Germany invaded Poland, Britain provided a token force of four divisions to Europe, hiding behind the solid Maginot Line while 'watching a Quixotic ally being destroyed by Hitler.'"

  Moreover, people like Chamberlain in Britain firmly believed that continuing to appease Japan would maintain British interests. In May 1938, Britain and Japan signed an agreement on Chinese customs in Tokyo, which stipulated that all taxes collected would be stored in the Yokohama Specie Bank and a large number of Japanese would be employed as customs officials, allowing Japan to use Chinese customs revenue to obtain foreign exchange and purchase war materials from Europe and America for invading China. In September of the same year, when Chinese Ambassador to Britain Guo Taiqi declared that China would request economic sanctions against Japan at the 102nd Council meeting of the League of Nations in accordance with Article 17 of the League Covenant, British Foreign Secretary Halifax told Guo that such a request from the Chinese government "would not be beneficial to China itself and might harm the League". At the same time, he told Japanese Ambassador to Britain Shigeru Yoshida that the British government would not support China's request for the League to impose sanctions on Japan. By the end of 1938, although Britain agreed to provide a small loan to China under American pressure, it still maintained its consistent appeasement policy towards Japan. In July 1939, British Ambassador to Japan Robert Craigie and Japanese Foreign Minister Hachirō Arita signed the "Arita-Craigie Agreement" in Tokyo on behalf of their respective governments, which stipulated that Britain would restrict anti-Japanese activities in North China, prevent suspected anti-Japanese activists from entering British concessions, and extradite four suspects to the Tianjin puppet government. This was essentially a de facto recognition of the puppet regime.

  "In the past few days, Japan has asked Britain to close the Burma Road. To ensure its security in Asian colonies and ease tensions with Japan, Britain will blockade China's only international transportation route for three months starting mid-July, putting China in a suffocating situation. It did what the Japanese invaders wanted to do but couldn't! Until September 27, when the Tripartite Pact was signed in Berlin, the British realized they had been deceived again. On the premise that America promised economic support if Britain and Japan went to war, on October 18, the Burma Road was reopened."

  "After the Pearl Harbor incident, Japan formally attacked British colonies in Asia. In order to ensure the smooth passage of the Burma Road and also to help Britain defend itself, we will form an expeditionary force to enter Burma for battle. The British, however, retreated at the sight of the Japanese army, fleeing in disarray, and while our troops were engaged in a bloody battle with the Japanese, the British didn't even bother to send a message, but instead ran away with their tails between their legs, taking large quantities of American aid materials meant for China's war effort with them. What they couldn't take, they set on fire and burned to ashes. How can such a country make its allies feel at ease?"

  "Clown!" Chiang Kai-shek closed his eyes and listened to He Juncai's account of history, giving such an evaluation. Even Chiang Kai-shek, who was usually calm and composed, was provoked into anger.

  "So, for Britain, we should remain vigilant and give them some trouble in Europe. Providing Germany with some radar jamming technology is also intended to do so, but of course it cannot change the outcome of the Battle of Britain, otherwise if Germany unifies Europe, Japan will become even more arrogant. We can provide some radar upgrade technology to Britain when they are in a difficult situation, and we can also organize some flight school students as volunteer pilots to go to Britain for training. In exchange for some military technology, such as British engine technology is very good."

  "For France, it's simple: support de Gaulle's 'Free France', and in post-war France, they will be our ally. Also, I hope the Chairman approves a plan, now that France has surrendered, its army is disarmed, all weapons and equipment are collected in several warehouses, I think we can use airborne bases to raid these warehouses, secretly seize some military materials to arm ourselves." He Juncai proposed an adventurous plan.

  "This can be worked out in detail by your air force staff, but it must be kept secret. Let me know what resources are needed." Chiang was clearly very interested in the raid.

  "For the Soviet Union, we still have a few months of honeymoon period. By next April, the Soviet Union will sign the Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact with Japan, which includes Japan respecting the territorial integrity and inviolability of Mongolia, and the Soviet Union respecting the territorial integrity and inviolability of Manchukuo, and stopping military aid to China. The Soviet Union has eliminated its worries through this treaty and led the Japanese army to march south. Although this treaty is beneficial from the Soviet perspective, the description of the territory of Manchuria and Mongolia is undoubtedly a slap in our face. In addition, next June, that is, June 1941, the Soviet Union will also taste the lightning war of Germany and will be powerless to assist us." He Juncai continued to speak his mind. The changing international situation made Chiang Kai-shek, who had cultivated himself to a certain extent, sigh with emotion.

  "So during this period, especially this year, we should make full use of the Sino-Soviet honeymoon to obtain as much aid as possible. The Soviet Union is afraid that we will negotiate with Japan and cause the Japanese to attack them freely, which is something we can take advantage of. In addition to advanced fighter jets, we also need to import military equipment and industrial equipment from the Soviet Union, especially drilling and chemical equipment. I know that in our territory there are some large oil fields, such as Yumen which has already started production, and the unexplored oil fields in Xinjiang and Sichuan, etc. Once these oil fields are developed, they will reduce our dependence on foreign fuel."

  "If that's the case, then General He is a great benefactor of the Chinese military and people!" Chiang Kai-shek said excitedly. China has always been considered an oil-poor country, with gasoline, petroleum, and even kerosene all being imported. Almost every ton imported is consumed on the road, so if China can produce its own, it will greatly support the war effort.

  "It should be, and also after the outbreak of the Soviet-German war, we should provide support, such as fuel, minerals, metals, and possibly military equipment. Our family's resources are not rich, this support cannot be like the United States' unconditional Lend-Lease, it needs the Soviet Union to take out equivalent or more materials in exchange, such as talent and technology. Mongolia is to be recovered, this event can be proposed as an exchange condition at the most difficult time for the Soviet Union. In addition, we can dispatch a European expeditionary force to support the war against Germany at the right time. It should be known that in my timeline's history, the Soviet Union looted the entire Northeast region by sending troops to Japan as a condition. We can also use the same method to deal with them!"

  The above is my superficial idea, and after entering 1941, our situation will become more tense. The channels of Hong Kong, Vietnam, Xinjiang and other places will gradually become unavailable, so I suggest that the chairman should immediately order to increase the import and reserve of strategic materials.

  "Alright, very well. I'll think over what you've said again. You can bring out a few specific plans and I'll submit them to the Military Commission for discussion." Chiang Kai-shek finally said, "As for your suggestion of increasing imports, it's mainly a matter of money." It seems that one doesn't know the value of rice, salt, fuel, and other necessities until he is in charge; now Chiang Kai-shek can hardly even afford to pay the salaries of foreign employees.

  "I've discussed the foreign exchange issue with Director Huang of the Air Force Headquarters Equipment Department, and I brought some civilian technologies from later generations. I'm considering whether to go to the United States to make a fortune." He Juncai knew that the plan to rush to the United States also needed the support of the committee chairman.

  "That's all right. Your air force can start doing it immediately, and I'll have the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador Hu Shih cooperate with you." Chiang Kai-shek replied.

  Chiang Kai-shek and He Zhongcai had no idea that their secret meeting tonight would directly affect the pattern of World War II and the course of history. The night talk at Huangshan Villa on June 22 has been a subject of study by historians for generations, who can only find clues from Chiang's diary and memoirs.

  Seeking points, seeking collection, seeking recommendation!