After visiting Germany, Song Biao visited the Netherlands and met with Queen William Minna of the Netherlands and Prime Minister Charles Berenbrook. At this time, the Netherlands really wanted China and hoped to form a military alliance with China to deal with Japan.

The empire did not take the opportunity to have the entire Indonesia, because under the current circumstances, Indonesia is equivalent to one of the Chinese colonies and there is no clear difference.

From the perspective of long-term interest needs, the Empire never wants to have a country as big as Indonesia in Southeast Asia. Therefore, through special cooperation with the Netherlands, the Empire faked the Netherlands to split Indonesia into four parts, and included the Batam Islands on the other side of Singapore and the Tammelan Islands around the Riau Islands and Anambas Islands into the overseas provinces of the Empire. At the same time, the empire's root base was established here, directly confronting the entire Strait of Malacca and protecting the empire's maritime fate.

The empire did not consider forming an alliance with the Netherlands for a long time, but the Sino-Dutch alliance in Indonesian waters is still acceptable. Although the Dutch navy is not strong, it is better than nothing, and it can tie the Netherlands to allow the Netherlands to contribute capital.

As for the already imminent third Sino-Japanese War, Song Biao did not have many plans. In his opinion, he could fight or not fight. The key point was not fight, but to curb Japan's expansion momentum and make Japan rot in his own country.

Time is always beneficial to the empire. If it delays for another six or seven years, let alone annihilate the Japanese navy, army and air force, even if it wants to eliminate the Japanese population, it is not something the empire cannot do.

After leaving the Netherlands, Song Biao visited Sweden.

The entire trip to Europe, whether it was the Soviet Union or Germany, was actually not the focus of the Empire's economic visit during this global visit. The haze of World War II has begun to cover Europe. Of course, the Empire could not invest in Europe on a large scale during this period, but there are several countries that are exceptions, especially Sweden.

Sweden not only has a good industrial foundation, but also as a neutral country, it is also one of the few countries that can enjoy the prosperity of war.

Before this, the Far East Consortium had been in Sweden for twenty years, from the initial sale of soybeans and raw silk to other agricultural products, primary textiles and wool materials, now it has taken advantage of the financial crisis to acquire excellent companies in Sweden, merge with Swedish banks, bought Ericsson and ABB from Yinruida Investment Bank, included SKF ball bearing company, and introduced Volvo from SKF. As the largest vehicle manufacturing company in Northern Europe, the Far East Consortium authorized Volvo to produce electric trains.

During the Great Depression, the Far East consortium invested $173 million in Sweden, which had already occupied an extremely important position in the Swedish economy and regarded Sweden as a bridgehead for the empire's investment in Europe.

On the third day of the emperor's visit to Sweden, Zhang Jun, the director of the Central Bureau of Secretariat, personally arrived in Stockholm on a special plane and submitted the combat plan formulated by the Central Military Department to the emperor for approval.

After the emperor confirmed, Zhang Jun only sent a power to a China Resources company in Sweden to report on the progress of the acquisition of a new company. This telegram had no practical significance and only informed the Central Military Department that it could start a combat plan.

China and Japan were originally a confusing debt. In the words of Akiyama that year, if Japan apologized first and made every effort to establish friendship with China, it would be very beneficial to China and Japan. The result is always regrettable. Japan did not apologize, and China did not accept such a hope of apology. The two sides gradually moved towards a complete confrontation. The opposition and hatred from the country to the nation have been happening for more than 20 years.

Even if the Japanese military headquarters, Japanese cabinet, Chinese cabinet, and Chinese central military headquarters have no real intention to start a full-scale war, the Nagano incident is enough to push the two nations into a complete abyss.

As far as the navy is concerned, the situation is actually very unfavorable to the Chinese Navy. The Japanese Navy itself is 40 more than the Chinese Navy's tonnage. During the global visit of Emperor Song, two battleships and four cruisers of the Northern Fleet visited Europe. The tonnage gap between the two sides in the main battleships of the Pacific Ocean is more than twice. However, on aircraft carriers, the four Imperial aircraft carriers and two training aircraft carriers can happen to be able to fight together, while a Japanese aircraft carrier is maintaining and upgrading. In the submarine field, the technology and tonnage gap between the two sides is relatively large, but submarines are not the key to determining the outcome.

The anti-submarine capabilities of the two navies are far behind due to the problems of the air force. The 24 S-15 patrol aircraft temporarily transferred from the Air Force to the Navy have a patrol area of ​​more than 3,500 kilometers. They are the first generation of patrol aircraft equipped with airborne radars and can sail at night. Compared with the airborne radar completed by the UK in 1937, the Imperial NikoLA22 airborne radar is modified based on carrier-based radar. Because it can be used on patrol aircraft, its volume, weight and power can be expanded, and the power supply can also be increased a lot. Surface ships can be found 40 kilometers away.

The Empire and French companies have developed multi-cavity magnetron technology. It has been mature and will be used on the NikoLA22 airborne radar for formal use, so that the radar can reach the decimeter level standard and enter the microwave field.

Japan is completely unclear about these things, so the Japanese military's reaction is very strong. Although there is a lot of controversy within the Japanese military, it is just that whether the war starts is related to the face of the Great Japanese Empire. Two heavy cruisers were sunk. Whether the original sin is its own or China, war must be declared. Otherwise, how can the Great Japanese Empire maintain its dignity as the first naval power in Asia and the third naval power in the world?

The two sides officially embarked on a full-scale war, and the rapid speed of the rapid preparations for large-scale war. The main force of the Japanese Navy immediately headed south towards the Palau Islands. For the Japanese Navy, there were only two ways to enter Southeast Asia. One was to go to the Luzon Strait and the South China Sea, and the other was to go to the deep Pacific Ocean on the east side of the Philippines. However, on this side, China owns the Palau Islands colony, which has a large air force aviation regiment and naval base here.

The Palau Islands belong to the Caroling Islands and before World War I belonged to Germany. Due to its special geographical location, the empire has firmly occupied this place since World War I and has invested huge amounts of money to build naval ports and aviation bases here.

Among the naval bases in the South Pacific, Sribaga Bay is the largest Naval Headquarters in the South Pacific, and Siouxun and Palau are the two largest sub-bases. The garrison of the Navy Aviation Regiment has reached the standard of an aviation regiment. Of course, even so, it is still impossible to compete with the main force of the Japanese Navy.

Because Palau is blocking the throat of the Japanese Navy Headquarters and Solong Naval Base, the intention of the two sides to fight to the death is inevitable. Through this Southeast Asian corridor in Vietnam, Brunei, and Sulawesi, the Imperial Air Force Division was transferred in large quantities to the Sulawesi Air Force Base in the south. Two spare air bases were activated at the same time, and a large number of fighter jets and torpedo bombers were transferred into the Southeast Asian battlefield.

In the north, a large number of fighter jets and the CSKA main division were transferred to the northeast, and China and Japan officially declared war. In fact, they were only one last step away from a large-scale war. They only needed to take another step forward. No matter whoever had large-scale troops attacked, a full-scale war would eventually break out.

After all, the Chinese Empire was not the pitiful Republic of China, which was fighting in warlords. The empire was so powerful that there were still many knowledgeable people in Japan who stood up to call for restraint in China and Japan. Britain and the United States, who were trapped in the Great Depression, could only make a symbolic appeal. Compared with the war between China and Japan, they were more worried about the breakdown of the Washington Naval Treaty.

The Japanese cabinet was actually extremely panicked. After all, the Chinese Empire was not the weak and incompetent Qing Dynasty. When going to war with such a great empire, Japan either created miracles or was torn to pieces. It would be better to end the debate in a more appropriate way because it bet on its national destiny.

At this time, the Japanese cabinet prime minister was no longer Inukai Tsubasa. That guy had been assassinated by the fascist organization Blood Alliance, a fascist organization with a background in the army. The newly appointed cabinet prime minister was Navy General Saito Mi. He had a relatively good way to control the Japanese Navy, but the navy was sunk two heavy cruisers. If the war was not declared, he would be completely disgraceful and he would not be able to raise his head in front of the army in the future.

While declaring war, Saito Mi personally persuaded the Inner Minister Makino, who was close minister of Emperor Showa, to go to Beijing to submit a handwritten letter, hoping to end the matter with China's full compensation for two heavy cruisers and Japan's compensation for one aircraft.

I still don’t play, and the ball is back to China.

On September 7, 1933, Song Biao led a Chinese visiting delegation to London and went to Buckingham Palace to meet George V. At this time, George V was already an old emperor, but they were the monarchs who became emperors in different countries in the East and the West during almost the same period. Both of them could be regarded as old emperors.

When Emperor Song cooperated with the queen, princess and prince Song Weiguang arrived at Buckingham Palace in the morning, when they met with George V's royal family, they took a photo of two members of the royal family together.

After the Queen and other royal members visited Buckingham Palace, George V invited Emperor Song to sit down behind the balcony of the living room to discuss. George V had suffered from severe lung disease due to long-term smoking, but he was so stubborn that he did not believe the doctor's advice at all and continued to smoke.

Song Biao drank tea quietly. Like Hitler, the teas of George V and the British royal family were also gifted by the imperial court, including Dianhong, Pu'er and other teas.

The British-Japanese alliance has not been lifted, which means that once China and Japan go to a complete war, Britain must also give Japan all possible support. For both China and Britain, this is definitely the worst situation, which means that Britain, France and Europe will also fall into this huge whirlpool.

King George V was a little painful in his later years. He not only had severe lung disease, but also coughed violently when smoking, but also suffered from cataracts. During this period, cataracts were still difficult to cure and there was no possibility of surgery.

He and Emperor Song ascended the throne for more than twenty years, only 9 months apart, but this was the first time they met. However, George V could no longer see Emperor Song clearly at this time. His eyesight was in a very poor state, and normal official documents needed to be read to him.

Although the Indonesian crisis and the Nagano incident were very serious during this period, and China and Japan once again entered a state of war, both monarchs have experienced too many ups and downs and are not very concerned about the difficulties in front of them.

The two talked about the years when they first ascended the throne, especially the demise of the Qing Dynasty, which was a major event that they still remembered. It was a real international event. George V had just ascended the throne and had no political experience. Suddenly encountering such a big change, the impact on him was very severe.

For a long time, George V had difficulty understanding how an ancient empire as huge as the Qing Dynasty could collapse in an instant, and without any warning in advance, which made him feel insecurity about his empire, and this insecurity was almost implemented throughout his life.

The two monarchs talked about a lot of old things and also talked about the harm caused by Britain to China during the two Opium Wars, especially the sins brought by the opium trade. The elderly and stubborn George V expressed his apology for the harms that Emperor Song said in his speech, and hoped that China and Britain would forget this regretful history.

The two continued to talk about the Humen cigarette removal, the East India Company, and the Old Summer Palace. Both sides had their own feelings.

The two monarchs talked about this issue for about two hours.

Water-cooled tea cools.

The sun continues to shine through the glass in the window. After the maid in the palace changed the tea, Song Biao drank the black tea purchased by the British from China. He felt a lot of emotion and thought for a moment before he said to George V: "History cannot be forgotten, but hatred can be resolved. As long as we actively work for this, it is not a luxury for the people of China and Britain to become friendly nations, but in fact it is still a very easy thing. I would like to make a few suggestions here. First, Britain should apologize for the Opium War and the Opium Trade; Second, Britain and France should return some Chinese cultural relics plundered from the Old Summer Palace. After negotiation, some cultural relics can be returned.

Under the premise of being the National Museum of China, it will be retained for a long time in the UK and France exhibitions and preservation, as well as for cultural research; Third, can the UK more sincerely propose part of the compensation to be included in the student aid plan, donate to Chinese students studying in the UK, or set up a monumental university in Guangzhou, Beijing, Tianjin and other places, or jointly funded by the Chinese and British governments to establish a Chinese-British international college to strengthen the exchanges and understanding between young people in China and Britain, deepen friendship and cooperation; Fourth, China and Britain issued a joint statement on this, giving a decent summary of history, and laying a good prospect, plan and foundation for future Sino-British friendly cooperation."

King George V thought silently for a while and replied: "The proposals you mentioned are very good. Our cabinet should take these suggestions carefully. Personally, it is completely reasonable and necessary, just considering that Britain is currently in a deep economic crisis and may seem insufficient in fiscal expenditure."

Song Biao took the opportunity to say: "My visit to the UK this time is also to unite more countries to work together to resolve the economic crisis. I suggest that China and the UK sign a more active new trade treaty to encourage mutual investment and trade exchanges. China is one of the most populous and largest capital markets in the world. We welcome investment from British capital. Similarly, we also need foreign investment to invest in areas that are interesting and good at for us. Both sides develop together through such efforts, rather than simply opposing to protect themselves. Opposition cannot solve the problem."

King George V agreed: "British has always been a traditional free trade country. We need to ensure the world of free trade. We also need to work together to restore the economy and start cooperation between the two sides. Specific matters and policies need to be decided by the Cabinet government, but as monarchs, we should take the lead and promote the cooperation between governments."

Speaking of this, he reminded Song Biao: "There is another very important obstacle between us. His Majesty the Emperor, that is, the military conflict between your country and Japan in the South Pacific. After both China and Japan have officially declared war, the situation has become even more difficult. Japan claims to us that you first opened fire and sunk a heavy cruiser, and they will fight back. I want to confirm this."

Song Biao said: "About this matter, I think our diplomatic department should have given correct notifications to all countries, but I need to continue confirming it here. The whole story is that our country hopes to prevent Japan from crossing the border and going to war against the Netherlands to avoid the deterioration of the situation in the South Pacific and avoid the breakdown of the Indonesian Agreement. It may be that our patrol aircraft chose a more risky expulsion operation, but the first thing that fired the gun was definitely Japan. First, our patrol aircraft was shot and was about to be destroyed, and the pilot resolutely chose to hit the other side's warship. No one is eager to survive. If we can still leave that area safely, our patrol aircraft pilots would not sacrifice themselves. This is a very simple truth. Although the specific situation at that time cannot be fully confirmed, the captain did not fly back because he could call back."

After a little thought, Song Biao continued to add: "The problem now is that China and Japan have declared war. Japan is still not satisfied with the benefits in the South Pacific and want to further expand the scope of the colonies. The only country they can bully in Southeast Asia is the Netherlands. This is why they repeatedly seek the Indonesian region. The war has begun, but for China, the most important thing is to maintain the previous situation and the Indonesian Agreement reached a few years ago.

George V nodded slightly and said, "No matter what the truth is, the most important thing now is to hope that your country and Japan can make a compromise and not further break out a full-scale war. At the stage when China-UK relations are gradually regaining friendship, we do not want Japan to continue provoking China. Considering this, the country has begun to completely interrupt the "British-Japan Alliance Treaty". If this situation continues to spread, Britain will sooner or later be pulled into this endless war."

Song Biao was silent for a moment and suddenly answered: "Japan was a fulcrum in the past, but now it was a trouble, and it was a trouble for Britain, and it was my country, Asia and the world. I always felt that although China and Japan declared war this time, there was not a great possibility of a full-scale war, but sooner or later there would be a real full-scale war. There are many reasons for this war, and it is very complicated. Even China and Japan themselves are difficult to explain and clarify, let alone foreign countries. In the past, the contradiction between China and Britain was relatively large, and now, there is no principled contradiction between China and Britain.

Shield, and the contradiction between China and Japan will become the most complex problem in the Asian world. Our country needs stability, peace, and Asian countries need to maintain the status quo. Japan is actively seeking new colonies. The problem is where there are other colonies that can be occupied by it. To put it bluntly, Asia looks very large, and China, Britain, the Soviet Union, the United States and France are basically wiped out. The last thing left is Indonesia, and some scattered islands in the Pacific. Japan wants to start a breakthrough from Dutch Indonesia. Once it breaks through this level, it is difficult to ensure that it is not pursuing the next step."

George V asked: "Can you make adjustments and negotiations to give Japan a part of its colony? In any case, Japan is one of the world's naval powers, and at least it has defeated the Russian navy."

Song Biao thought for a while and said, "My country will not agree. Even if the Netherlands is willing to transfer it voluntarily, our country will not agree, because our interests in Dutch Indonesia are very important. When Indonesia belongs to the Netherlands, our country can enjoy more benefits. Once controlled by Japan, even if Japan makes a promise in advance, it will still expel our country from Indonesia. Japan and Europe make promises, but never make promises with our country. This is a country with strong bilateral and extremely powerful. When the British Empire is strong, they are eager to form an alliance with Britain. When the British Empire begins to weaken, he

They wanted to get rid of the restrictions of alliances immediately, and this is Japan. As an island country, they must have this tough and cunning personality if they want to develop, and this personality may not only help them or destroy them. In short, no matter how much they say, it will be useless. As long as Japan maintains this expansionism, there will be a large-scale full-scale war between China and Japan sooner or later. Although we do not want Britain to be involved, if Britain must be involved and try to use Japan to weaken China, the ending may be that the two great empires of China and Britain collapse at the same time, and Japan will only benefit from it."

George V reminded: "The British Empire will not collapse."

Song Biao said: "You can say this, and I can say this. You and I are very clear about the specific situation. The situation in the world has developed to this day. When China and Britain cooperate with each other, they will be win-win, and when wars will collapse together. This is a very difficult truth, not a threat to me."

George V was silent.

After waiting for a while, he replied: "War is the worst thing, so I hope that peace between China and Japan can be maintained, which is the basis for peace in Asia. Especially in this new Indonesian crisis, we sincerely hope that China can make some concessions."

Song Biao asked back: "How to give in and indulge Japan to attack the Netherlands and occupy Java Island? If Britain really thinks so, you can say this to the Netherlands directly, and we will continue to stick to our principles. In any case, no matter how great the sacrifice and price is, we must maintain the status quo in Asia."

George V can only admit: "Sustaining the status quo is more important than peace."

Hearing these words, Song Biao nodded silently.

China and Britain are Asia's largest colonial and protectors respectively. They certainly want to maintain the status quo. Any military action trying to challenge the status quo is an unacceptable challenge for them.
Chapter completed!