Istanbul is located at the eastern end of the Balkan Peninsula and the west coast of the Bosphorus. It is a center of Türkiye's politics, economy, culture, finance, news, trade, transportation, a world-famous tourist destination, and one of the bustling international metropolis.

On the evening of May 10, at the InterContinental Hotel in Taksim Square in the center of Istanbul, Chen Dao walked out of his presidential suite with a sleepy feeling after taking (sleeping) medicine and found Gorene who lives next door.

In Goring's room, in addition to Italian Foreign Minister Ziano, Chen Dao also saw a tall and thin German man with a treacherous beard, Philip Remzma, general manager of the Soren Group.

After saying hello to Remzma and Ziano, Chen Dao sat down next to Goring, took the cigar handed over by Remzma and bit it in his mouth.

"I don't like dealing with the Turks, but who made their ancestors rich and built Constantinople for their descendants and controlled the important transportation route of the Turkish Strait. In this negotiation, we will give them the benefits."

"The Montreux Convention stipulates that if Turkey remains neutral during wartime, warships in belligerent countries must not pass through the Turkish Strait. If we want the fleet to pass through the Strait, we must negotiate with the Turks to allow them to open the right of way to the Strait," said Gorein.

Chen Dao turned his head to look at the nightfall that was coming outside the window, spit out a mouthful of white smoke, and said boredly: "The night gave me black eyes, but I can only use him to roll my eyes at the Turks. I hope that in the negotiations tomorrow, the Turks will not open any conditions randomly. If they dare to make any excessive demands, hum......"

The four of them conspired for a while, unified the content of tomorrow's negotiations and stood up and walked towards the restaurant.

The night passed quickly, and at exactly 9:00 the next morning, in the hotel conference room.

Chen Dao, Gorin and Ziano met with Turkish President Mustafa Ismet Inonu, who came from Ankara, the capital of Turkey.

Inonu is thin and has a beard that is lush than Hitler's. His waist is straight and he is quite military.

Turkish Foreign Minister Sarajolu, who came with Inonu.

After a few greetings, both sides sat down. Gorene said first: "First of all, regarding Turkey's request to join the Axis Group, the Head of State of Hitler of our country and Mr. Mussolini of Italy attached great importance to it and were sincerely happy. Therefore, we specially sent General Rosen, and Mr. Ziano to negotiate the details of Turkey's accession to the Axis Group, and to reach a consensus in the shortest time.

In previous negotiations, your country proposed that Turkey would consider joining the war only if the Axis Group provides economic assistance and the army goes south to the Russian-Turkey border. After discussion, we can only agree to one request, that is, provide economic assistance, but our army will not march southward. Correspondingly, we do not require your country to declare war on Russia. We only require you to remain neutral in the war and open the Turkish Strait so that our warships can pass."

Inonu and Sarajolu changed their faces, and Sarajolu asked, "What does your country mean to refuse our country's accession to the Axis Group?"

Goring said: "No, we very much welcome Turkey's participation, but now we need you to remain neutral and wait until the war against Russia is over before joining the Axis. Because from an economic perspective, a neutral Turkey is more in line with the current interests of the Axis."

Inonu said: "Can the Marshal explain in detail why neutral Türkiye is more in line with the interests of the Axis powers?"

"We all agree to your country's previous requests to provide us with financial and technical support, help Turkey expand its ports, build roads and railways, and provide loans, after all, Turkey is already a potential ally. Moreover, General Rosen, the governor of Poland, has some personal suggestions on plans to help Turkey develop its economy."

After saying that, Goring looked at Chen Dao, who continued: "Your country had planned to lend 50 million imperial marks to Germany. After discussion, the German government decided to increase the loan amount and lend 30 million US dollars to your country...."

"Italy also provides a loan of 10 million US dollars," Ziano said.

"The total is 40 million US dollars. According to the exchange rate, 40 million US dollars is equivalent to 100 million imperial marks, and the loan amount has doubled." Chen Dao said.

"Why is this?" asked Sarajolu.

"The extra loan is to do four big businesses with your country. These four big businesses can quickly enhance Turkey's economic strength and provide a large amount of employment.

The first business was to re-establish the Asia Minor Company by your government and jointly invested with our country's Soren Group. Then the company came to hire workers from Turkey and then provide engineers from Germany to Iraq to complete the remaining part of the Baghdad Railway. If we move quickly, the remaining part of the railway should be completed by the end of next year."

Sure enough, the Germans still missed the Baghdad Railway! Inonu quickly recalled the details about the Baghdad Railway in his mind.

In the late 1880s, Germany implemented a policy of eastward advance to the world.

In order to extend its power into the Near East, Germany sought to build a railway to connect it with the continental railway.

The railway departs from Hamburg and is a large railway that goes directly to Kuwait, the Persian Gulf, through Berlin, Istanbul and Baghdad.

This railway not only allowed the German forces to control Türkiye, but also seriously threatened the Caucasus, Persia and other regions and British India. Therefore, it was opposed and obstructed by Russia, France, and especially Britain.

In 1888, Germany obtained the right to build the railway from the Bosphorus to Ankara from the Ottoman Empire, and established the German Asia Minor company to engage in construction.

In 1889, the Asia Minor Company obtained the right to extend the railway from the Ottoman Empire to Konia in January 1893 according to the instructions of the German Emperor. Britain strongly opposed it, and Germany threatened to oppose Britain's interests in Egypt, and the British government was forced to give in.

In 1896, part of the Baghdad Railway to Konia was completed.

In 1903, Germany obtained the right to lease the railway from Konia to the Persian Gulf through Baghdad. Britain and France strongly opposed this. After a series of complex negotiations, Britain still firmly disagrees with Kuwait as the end of the line.

On June 15, 1914, Britain and Germany signed a grey-Rikhnovsky agreement, that Britain would no longer obstruct the construction of this road, and Germany also promised that the railway would end with Basra and would no longer extend to the Persian Gulf. Soon, World War I broke out and the railway could not continue construction, and the Asia Minor Company, which was formed to build the railway, was also disbanded.

Inonu nodded, but did not say whether he agreed or not, but asked, "What are the remaining three businesses?"

Chen Dao said: "The real function of the railway is after its completion. Germany and Italy have oil fields in Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The oil produced in these oil fields will be divided into two parts, one will be transported back to Germany and Italy by sea, and the other will be transported to Turkey by Baghdad Railway, and then smelted at the refinery of Asia Minor. We know that the same oil is the refined refined oil, such as aviation fuel, diesel, gasoline for automobiles, etc., which are definitely more valuable than selling crude oil directly. With oil, various chemical products such as fertilizers and pesticides can be produced through chemical plants.

The same production, transporting the Baghdad railway to Turkey can save the journey to the next Balkan Peninsula than transporting it directly to Germany, save a lot of freight, and also provide many jobs to Türkiye."

Inonu and Sarajolu's eyes lit up at the same time. This is a good plan to revitalize the economy, which can not only obtain funds provided by Germany, but also obtain technology and jobs.

Sarajolu smiled and said, "General Rosen said it very much. I am very interested in this plan. Please continue."

Chen Dao said: "I came with 120,000 sincerity. The following two plans can make you feel my sincerity. The two projects of Petroleum and Baghdad Railway take a long time from investment to production, so the remaining two businesses are projects that can quickly see profits.

Germany is currently fighting all over the world. After mobilization, Germany now owns more than 10 million troops and consumes a huge amount of military uniforms every day. The Soren Group owns two clothing brands, Adidas and Puma. These two companies can divide the orders to your country's clothing factories, leather factories and shoe factories.

Orders include military boots, armed belts, military uniforms and underwear, etc. With these orders, your country can immediately get a large number of jobs and foreign trade income. Compared with oil refineries, this is a business that can make quick money."

"General Rosen's words make sense. This is indeed a business that can make quick money. You are very considerate. What is the last business? It is also a business that makes quick money?" asked Sarajolu.

"Of course, I'm very sincere." Chen Dao patted his chest and said, "The last business is a weapon order, ranging from a bullet to a medium to an aircraft and tank, to a warship. As long as you are willing to take it, we can give you a batch of orders. After the weapons are built, they can be shipped directly from your ports and transported to ports we control along the Black Sea coast, such as Odessa or Crimea, and then delivered to German soldiers fighting on the front line. Some weapons have relatively high technical content, so we will send engineers to guide you, so that your country can improve your country's military production capacity in this business."

Inonu and Sara Ruolu were in a state of great joy. Every business that Chen Dao said was practical and without any false elements.

"I feel General Rosen's sincerity, General Goring said, these are the financial aid programs you have come up with alone outside our requirements?" Inonu asked.

"Yes, although I have the identity of the governor of Poland and you have the identity of the president, I think we should still maintain our style as a soldier and solve the problems cleanly and neatly in the shortest time. Those trivial details will be left to businessmen and professional diplomats to discuss. By the way, there is another thing I can also express Germany's attitude to your country on behalf of the head of state. Turkey is about to become a member of the Axis Group. Are the insurgents who are trying to be independent in Turkey? We will never support them. You can try to fight those insurgents with confidence and boldness."

Inonu and Sarajolu's hearts pounded a few times. This young German was indeed not a purely good person. He had just given himself some sweetness with his right hand, and waved his whip with his left hand.

Sarajolu quickly calmed down and drove away the discomfort brought to himself by the sensitive word "Kurd".

"Mr. Marshal, General Rosen, Mr. Ziano, I have understood your purpose. However, when Turkey remains neutral, warships from both sides of the belligerent countries cannot be allowed to pass, merchant ships can."

Ziano said: "Mr. Sarajolu, Mr. President, please note that there are nine countries participating in the signing of the Convention, and there are no Germany or Italy among these nine countries. Moreover, all the members of the Axis Powers have participated in the war against Russia and against Japan. As a candidate member, you must always make some contribution to the Axis Powers family."

Goring continued: "We are very sincere and understanding. We are here in Turkey this time to solve the problem, not to increase the problem. I have already figured out a statement for you. If the Russians protest against the Axis Group of warships through the Turkish Strait, you can propose a principle of reciprocity as a neutral country. That is, we also allow the Russian fleet to pass through the Turkish Strait, so that the Russians will not be able to say anything.

At the same time, you can also draw a safe area in the strait. In this safe area, if the warships of our two sides meet, whoever fires first, you will abolish the right of way for the firing party. As for the warships of our two sides encountering outside the safe area, we will solve the problem ourselves."

Inonu and Sarajolu looked at each other.

The Germans even found a way out for Türkiye, and they were really prepared.

After hesitating for a while, Inonu said: "I am personally interested in the suggestions you have made, but I need to go back and convince the cabinet. Please give me some time. We will go back and discuss. I think I can give you a reply that satisfies both of us."

Chen Dao nodded and said to Inonu with a smile: "Sir President, I need to remind you that I flew from Crimea to Rome and from Rome to Istanbul. You are also a soldier. You should know that if a unit should arrive at the battlefield today, but is late for some reasons, two days, three days or even a week, it will have a bad impact on the battle situation. So I hope your government can give me a reply as soon as possible and do not let my troops be late. Today is the Ninth, and before the Fifteenth, can you give us a reply?"

Inonullo thought about it and said, "Yes."

······

After the meeting, when he saw Remtsma waiting for news, Chen Dao briefly finished the meeting process.

"We are already very sincere. As long as the Turks are not stupid, they should not reject our proposal."

"But I still think the conditions we gave were too favorable to them," said Remtsma.

Chen Dao said: "You don't understand, I still couldn't help but take the initiative to trick the Turks."

Golin and the other two were inexplicably confused.

Ziano asked, "Are there any conspiracy in your terms?"

"Have you been to London? Where is the Ruhr area in Germany? What is the air quality there? What color is the water on the Thames and Rhine? What smell does it emit?" Chen Dao threw a series of questions.

"Air quality? That's really bad, full of medicine. As for the river, I definitely can't swim in it or go fishing. What do you ask about this?" Ziano said.

Chen Dao explained: "You don't understand this. Whether it is oil refining or clothing printing and dyeing, it is all heavily polluted industries. The river water and air in the Ruhr area and London are polluted by these industries. So, you should understand now how I harmed them, right?

On the surface, we are trying our best to think about the Turks, but in fact we are keeping a green mountain and green water for the children of Germany. When the Turks find that the pollution is serious and want to be treated, we will develop some pollution control techniques, sell them and make money back. Well? Why do you look at me with this kind of gaze of the unscrupulous business? Did I say something wrong?"
Chapter completed!