339 Implicit Colonial Policy II
"A powerful Siam... Yaoru, what plan do you want to do?" Chen Duxiu immediately drove from Nanjing to the Military Commission's headquarters in Tangshan after seeing the minutes of the meeting between Chang Ruiqing and Prince Bripa of Siam. When he saw Chang Ruiqing, it was already past mealtime. Chang Ruiqing was sitting in his study to read a summary of intelligence about Europe submitted by the Military Intelligence Bureau. After talking to Luo Yaoguo, his horizons have become wider now and he knows that there are various possibilities in history. And some of the possibilities are very terrible! And he traveled through time (Chang Ruiqing still believes in the soul traveling through this kind of thing) to this world, not to be a stepping stone for a madman to dominate the world. If it weren't for considering that Trotsky was also a madman, Chang Ruiqing would have wanted to send a killer to assassinate Hitler! So he was more concerned about European affairs than before.
Just as Chang Ruiqing was silently calculating the possible changes in the European situation in his mind, Chen Duxiu appeared in front of him.
"Oh, it's the Prime Minister here. I'm just about to discuss something with you." Chang Ruiqing put down the documents in his hand, pointed to an empty chair opposite the desk, and signaled Chen Duxiu to sit down. "I decided on the alliance with Siam for a temporary decision, and I didn't have time to discuss it with the Prime Minister... But this move is also very necessary for our policy of moving south."
While talking, Zhao Sanmei, who was "thinking about her mistakes" at home, brought snacks and coffee to Chen Duxiu. After putting the things down, she looked at Chang Ruiqing resentfully before walking out with her pouting. It turned out that Chang Ruiqing's punishment for her, the **economic, also includes temporarily stopping sex with her. This is probably the most uncomfortable punishment for her?
"Going south? Going south means..." Chen Duxiu picked up a piece of pastry and took a bite, and said, "Are you going to help the colonial people in the Nanyang area cause trouble?"
"Of course not, so Britain and France are not anxious? There is no need to provoke them now."
"It's! Yaoru, our main energy should be on economic construction now." He glanced at the corner of his eyes and found that the content on Chang Ruiqing's desk was related to Europe, so he couldn't help frowning: "I think we have no strength to develop outward for at least 20 years."
"But we have been developing externally - although not in the name of a country." Chang Ruiqing smiled at Chen Duxiu: "Prime Minister, I understand what you mean. We must first build the country. When we become stronger, we will consider the outside world. However, the outside world will not give us the opportunity to develop alone. In fact, we cannot slowly develop behind closed doors. We are always in contact with the outside world, and we also have interests in Nanyang that need to be maintained. This is our right to be a strong country."
"A strong country? Are we considered a strong country?"
Chang Ruiqing nodded with certainty: "Of course we are a strong country! And Britain and France are not as powerful as many people imagine! They have many enemies and troubles." He handed the documents on the table to Chen Duxiu. "Look, one world war has just ended. The preparations for another world war have begun."
Chen Duxiu flipped through the document from the beginning and took out a small book from his pocket to record the key points. Chang Ruiqing took out a piece of letter paper from the drawer and started writing.
The contents on the document are mainly about the naval arms race. After Japan proposed the "Ten Fleets" plan, a new naval arms race began among several imperialist powers. Among them, US Navy Secretary Daniels declared: "The United States will build 157 warships within five years to build the world's most powerful and excellent navy!"
British Prime Minister Lloyd George said: "Britain would rather spend the last penny and maintain the navy's advantage over the United States, Japan or any other country."
Following closely behind were France and Italy. These two countries that did not have too strong naval traditions also joined the competition excitedly. With the introduction of one ambitious naval construction plan after another, the whole world seemed to have returned to the "English-German naval arms race" before World War I! The English-German naval arms race is considered the root of World War I. It is precisely because Germany became a powerful army power and pursued its status as a naval power that Germany's historical ally, Britain turned against it and turned to seek an anti-German alliance between Britain, France and Russia.
"See if it is. The navy is what all countries really care about." Chang Ruiqing's letter has been written, and he handed the letter to Chen Duxiu. Chen Duxiu took it and glanced, and found that it was a letter to Mussolini, the leader of the Italian "Fighting Fascist" organization. The contents are all theoretical things. The Italian politician and Chang Ruiqing seem to have some common language. They appreciate Chang Ruiqing's method of managing China with national socialism, believing that Italy should also seek a similar path - rather than being troubled by an invalid democratic system like now.
"This Mussolini seems to be the mortal enemy of GC International and Italy GCD." Chen Duxiu returned the letter to Chang Ruiqing and whispered a reminder. Chang Ruiqing nodded and smiled: "But he may become the ruler of Italy. If that happens, I hope that China and Italy can become friends. Although their industrial technology is not first-class in Europe, it can still provide us with some help. Similarly, they will also need Chinese markets and raw materials."
"Okay, then you go and make friends with this Italian politician." Chen Duxiu took a sip of coffee. "Are you going to talk about the Nanyang thing? Do you think Britain and France are busy with naval arms races on Japan and the United States and have no time to take care of Nanyang. So you want to put your hand in?"
"We have already entered." Chang Ruiqing said: "Chinese are the most important ethnic group in Nanyang, accounting for about 30% of the total population of Nanyang. We should regard them as Chinese citizens and have an obligation to protect their interests in Nanyang. This is the right we should have as a powerful country. We do not develop a large navy. We do not seem to have any ambitions for the Nanyang region, but this does not mean that we have to sit idly by and watch our citizens be bullied in Nanyang! This is my purpose of winning over the Rama royal family in Siam."
"Your purpose is not that simple, right?" Chen Duxiu said bluntly.
"Okay. Then, Mr. Prime Minister, why shouldn't we pursue the colonial interests of the South China Sea? It was originally the back garden of China. The Chinese have been migrating from the mainland. This is colonization, which has been going on for hundreds or thousands of years! If we can fight for a better living environment for the Chinese in Southeast Asia, more Chinese will migrate and gain more power and wealth in the future. In the end, Nanyang becomes the home of the Chinese nation... This is the right of our Chinese nation and should not be given up!"
Chen Duxiu grinned and said, "This is just your opinion. However, Britain, France and the United States may not agree to us having this right!"
"Mr. Prime Minister-" Chang Ruiqing leaned forward and approached Chen Duxiu, and said in a tone as much as possible: "The volume of our China is there. More than 11 million square kilometers of land, nearly 480 million people, and now there is a strong government, an army that is enough to fight against the Soviet Red Army. All this together, any Western power will be wary of us. No matter how we keep a low profile, it is useless. I am afraid that the more we pretend to be without ambitions to the outside world, the more they doubt it? It is better to make our requests that in Nanyang, our citizens should enjoy the treatment of citizens of any powerful country in the world! This will be the core of our Nanyang policy!"
"But we are not strong enough!" Chen Duxiu shook his head and said: "This year, our steel production is only 100,000 tons, and any small European country will surpass us."
"During the Russo-Japanese War, Japan only had 50,000 tons of steel." Chang Ruiqing smiled and shook his head: "Prime Minister. Don't take the problem too seriously. It is legitimate to safeguard the rights and interests of Chinese in Southeast Asia. Unless Western countries are unwilling to recognize China's status as a great power, they will give way to appease us - and have you noticed that the alliance between Britain, France and the United States has almost fallen. The United States publicly stated that it would build the world's most powerful navy, while Britain expressed that it would do everything to safeguard its navy's advantage over the United States and Japan. As for Britain and France, there has been a dispute over Germany recently. Britain hopes that the French and Belgian troops can retreat from Germany and reasonably arrange the process of Germany's repayment of war reparations. At the same time, Britain also hopes to expand Germany's pocket-sized army. France firmly opposes this."
Chen Duxiu frowned. The Chinese leaders of this era actually didn't know much about international affairs and didn't care much about them. Their vision was Japan and Southeast Asia. They basically had a dark eye for the complex relationship between European and American powers, even Chen Duxiu, who had been visiting Europe and the United States for several months.
However, Chang Ruiqing's memory of another world in his mind gave him some world vision that surpassed other Chinese leaders in this era. Although history has changed now, Chang Ruiqing can still be sure that the honeymoon period between Britain, the United States and France has long passed.
During the period from World War I to World War II, the relationship between Britain and the United States was not very friendly, just like all the bosses and the second brothers. As for the relationship between Britain and France, it seems that there were cracks due to Poland's defeat (although the country was not destroyed) - Britain seemed to want a stronger Germany to curb the western expansion of GCism, but France didn't know what idea was going to make? Perhaps it was to appease the Soviet Union, or to increase the efforts to arm Poland? Or to win over China to restrain the Soviet Union with a higher bid?
And Chang Ruiqing also knew that in a short time, a small economic crisis would sweep across Western countries. At that time, Britain and France would not have much spare time to suppress China, which poses little threat to them.
"Okay. Yaoru, you can try the Nanyang policy you proposed." Chen Duxiu gently turned the coffee quilt in his hand and thought: "The alliance with Siam should be just the beginning, right? What should we do next? Should we support the ** movement of various countries in Southeast Asia?"
"No, we can't do that, at least not now. Supporting the ** movement and safeguarding the interests of our expatriates are two different things. And once we do that, Britain, France and the Netherlands may adopt fierce anti-China measures, which is not what I want."
"What about supporting Siam? Are you not afraid of any countermeasures from Britain and France?"
Chang Ruiqing smiled coldly: "Not afraid, firstly, Siam is a country that is the highest country after all, and they have the right to carry out military cooperation with us. Isn't the reform of Siam's Chulalongkorn was carried out with the help of Japan? Since Japan can cooperate with Siam, why can't we? Secondly, even if Britain and France want to counter, they will only use Siam, not us." Chang Ruiqing blinked at Chen Duxiu and smiled: "Perms are always soft! And I am also looking forward to when our National Defense Forces can liberate Siam in the future and help the people there establish a Siam Republic."
...
The Grand Palace of Bangkok, as a royal palace in a small country, although the total area of the Grand Palace is less than one-third of that of the Forbidden City in Beijing, is not much different in its magnificence.
In particular, the large roofs and giant gilded stupas of Siamese architecture, as well as white palace walls up to five meters high, the wide Wangjiatian Square in front of the palace, and the palace guards guarded inside and outside the palace, as well as court guards dressed like the British Royal Guard. They all remind people that the Rama Dynasty in Siamese was a very wealthy court.
The layout of the Grand Palace is Siamese-style, and it also softens some Western styles. Many buildings show some Western architectural characteristics. As the main hall, the main palace is a three-story palace that softens the architectural style of the British Victorian era. This was built by Rama V, known as the Great Emperor Chulalongkorn, in 1876. It is now the place where the king of Siam handles state affairs and rests, and is regarded as the center of Siam's national politics.
The one who masters this weak capitalist country is Rama VI. His Chinese name is Zheng Bao. He has ascended the throne of the King of Siam since 1910 and has been there for ten years. However, his dream of a strong country has not been realized.
In the dim light of the main hall of the Jiji Palace, Rama VI sat upright on the throne. Wearing a red military uniform, his face was full of fatigue, and his eyes were gloomy as Prince Zachlapen, who was standing opposite him, reported to him about his visit to China with Prince Bripa.
"His Majesty the King... China's National Government has stated that as long as we give up the policy of restricting Chinese and Chinese, everything will be restored to the situation of the great Emperor Chulalongkorn, they will be willing to ensure our territory and sovereignty integrity and help us build a strong army. In addition, they are also willing to promote a three-country alliance system of China, Japan and Siam to jointly defend the collective interests of our Asian nation... In addition, General Chang Ruiqing, Chairman of the China Military Commission, also intends to invite His Majesty to visit China and discuss cooperation matters with him..."
Rama VI listened carefully. When he heard the "Asian nation", the corners of his mouth trembled slightly. It seemed that he wanted to say something, but it stopped it. In this era, another "pan-Asianism" was something that Japan strongly advocated. Because Japan and Siam have had a relatively close relationship for a long time, Siam was also more or less influenced by this idea. Some unpragmatic senior figures fantasized about relying on Japan's help to regain the lost territory seized by Britain and France. And Rama VI, who had made great efforts to reform the army as soon as he came to power, was probably such a figure.
In addition to fantasizing about regaining lost territory, Rama VI was most concerned about strengthening the royal control of the army. Because his ancestor Rama I once said what to rule (Rama Royal Family) for 150 years, and it was well known in Siam. Now the 150-year period is approaching, so many signs of instability in Siam. As the king, Rama V was naturally worried. At the beginning of his tenure, while reforming the army, he pulled out a paramilitary force outside the original army, which was a private soldier of the royal family, which caused extreme dissatisfaction among the army and became the main cause of the attempted coup in 1912. Although the coup was easily suppressed, the gap between the army and the royal family did not disappear but gradually deepened the signs of the army.
In order to strengthen his rule, Rama VI began to deliberately promote chauvinism at home. He was obviously a weak capitalist country, but he wanted to pretend to be a strong country. If he wanted to pretend to be a strong country, he had to find a soft persimmon to pinch it to establish his authority. Britain and France dare not provoke it, so he found China's bad luck. Of course, he did not dare to send troops to attack China's mainland, but just bully Chinese and overseas Chinese at home. Who knows that China's persimmon was not soft either! Even the powerful Russia was defeated by them, so how could the little Siam provoke it? So he had to send the Navy minister to China to worship the wharf - this country of heaven has always been the most flattering country. Generally, as long as the flattery of their rulers is flattered, no matter how big the big things are, it can be turned into small things.
But now, has Prince Bripa's flattery been considered a home? Why is China still insisting on Siam to abolish its anti-China policy? At the same time, the Chinese have proposed to work with Japan to jointly safeguard Siam's sovereignty and territory - it sounds good, but there are always some things that are uneasy.
Does China want to restore its historical status as a sovereign state to the Southeast Asian countries? And what will Britain and France react to this?
Chapter completed!