The spring of the fifth year of the Republic of China came later than in previous years, and the temperature was also lower than in previous years. This seems to be a common phenomenon. At the end of February in the Western calendar, a heavy snow fell in France. The heavy snow hindered the German offensive and made

The French breathed a sigh of relief. In early March, the Chinese capital far away in Asia also received a snowfall. Different from the spring snows in previous years, this snowfall was obviously heavier than previous years. As the saying goes, auspicious snow heralds a good harvest, but

This spring snow fell too late and was also too heavy, but even so, no one doubted that it would be a good year's snow.

China in the five years of the Republic of China seemed to be far calmer and more promising than ever before. Although there were more or less differences between the two sides in the capital as the heads of the central government, in the eyes of the outside world, the two sides

Cooperation is far greater than confrontation. If we look at Chinese politics after the Republic of China, the current political situation in China is undoubtedly the most stable period. Even some experts on China issues and Western political observers all believe that China has completely gotten rid of the conditions of the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China.

Political chaos, the entire country is on the right track.

The past ten months have been extremely stable. Not only the people agree with this, but also the ministers and consuls of various countries stationed in China. In the eyes of some ministers and consuls, China's politics has been in chaos after nearly four years.

, after running in, I finally found a path suitable for the Chinese environment.

In the central government, the division of government and Yuan made it impossible to produce absolute centralization. Yuan Shikai's authority was weakened to some extent. Similarly, Li Zicheng's authority was not as strong as imagined. The division of government and Yuan in the central government maintained the central political situation.

In the local areas, the problems that arose one after another in suppressing bandits and participating in the war caused the provincial army on which local forces relied to be severely weakened. The suppression of bandits resulted in the central government restricting and semi-controlling the local provincial army, and sending troops to participate in the war even more forced

The local provincial army had to send out elite troops to form an expeditionary force. At the same time, with the support of the central government, the provincial council also began to do everything possible to limit the power of the provincial generals.

Although the implementation of division between the central government and the Yuan has weakened the centralization of power, the government and the Yuan have a tacit cooperation with the people when it comes to dealing with local issues. The local military strength has been weakened. With the support of the Presidential Palace, the Yuan has intervened in the local police force with the help of bandit suppression.

, interfering in taxation with the help of national and local tax sharing, and intervening in civil affairs with the help of the judiciary, further weakened the control of local forces over the local area. After ten months of efforts, while local forces were weakened, central government decrees also began to be circulated in the local areas, and even among many people

It seems that the current political situation in China is better than that in the late Qing Dynasty.

Of course, the biggest impact on China is not the calm political situation, but the rapidly developing industrial economy. In the past ten months, the number of factories registered with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce has increased from 5,867 to 11,685. The outbreak of the European War has adversely affected China.

As a result, various countries have reduced or even stopped exporting goods to China, resulting in insufficient supply of industrial products in the Chinese market. Domestic emerging factories are producing imported substitute products. While filling the market gap, they are constantly exploring overseas markets. The demand in domestic and foreign markets is huge.

It stimulates the development of the domestic industrial economy. Under the deliberate guidance of the central government, the attention of the Chinese people has already shifted from the political level to the industrial level. The rapid development of the industrial economy and the huge industrial profits are even more attractive to domestic dignitaries and rich people.

Beyond its focus on politics, economic development stabilized the domestic political situation.

However, as we all know, economic development can only occur when the political situation is stable, and for China, when the government and institutions cooperate, the only problem is local issues.

Outside the window, snow was falling, and in the warm small living room of Jurentang. Taking a look at Yuan Shikai, who was sitting on the sofa with a Buddha-like smile on his face, Li Zicheng said in a slightly deep voice...

"If the local military power cannot be lifted, holding a constitutional convention will definitely disturb the local government!"

While talking, Li Zicheng glanced at Yuan Shikai. Yuan Shikai is much fatter now than when the Jiao'ao Incident ended last year. For Yuan Shikai, who loves meat every day, it is difficult to lose weight, but it is very difficult to gain weight.

It's easy. Almost as soon as he became prime minister, he paid attention to Yuan Shikai's diet and health.

Unlike history, Yuan Shikai did not proclaim himself emperor. In fact, according to the analysis of later generations, Yuan Shikai's proclaiming emperor was certainly a personal ambition on the one hand, but on the other hand, it was not inconsistent with the historical domestic situation, especially the conflict between local factions.

The fact of division is not irrelevant. The authority of the central government now may not be comparable to that of centralization, but compared with history, it is much better. In the past ten months, I have been using "warm water to boil the frog"

The problem between the local and the central government was solved slowly and slowly. With the initial results being achieved, Yuan Shikai would naturally not take the risk of proclaiming himself emperor.

"Well...this is a problem!"

Nodding, Yuan Shikai said with agreement that although there were differences between the government and the Yuan on some issues, the two sides were in sync with each other on how to combat local forces and establish centralization of power, and the cooperation was very close, and Yuan Shikai was most disappointed

What I admire is that Li Zicheng's slow knife kills people invisible. He always uses "righteousness" to force the local generals to have no other choice, just like when it comes to sending troops.

Sending troops to participate in the war is for the sake of national status and national dignity. The central government has to sacrifice, and local areas are not immune. But now, after the French have reduced the second batch of expeditionary forces and froze the dispatch of the third batch of expeditionary forces, this "righteousness" has been rejected by the French.

It has disappeared. Although there is some good news coming from France, the good news still carries too many uncertain factors.

"If the French don't give in, we won't be able to send troops! Unless..."

Just when Yuan Shikai tried to persuade Li Zicheng to accept the French suggestion and divide the expeditionary force, Li Zicheng flatly refused.

"President, the State Council should not get involved in the military. However, the soldiers recruited by the expeditionary force are the best young people in China. They must not become cannon fodder for the foreign powers. The command is in our hands, and we can still fight against China."

The reputation of the team, but in the hands of the French, even if they win, they are still sheep led by a lion!"

When rejecting Yuan Shikai's proposal, Li Zicheng finally added.

"President, as long as the first battle of the expeditionary force gets off to a good start, everything that follows will be easy to handle. We must not be in a hurry. We have endured it for so long. If we can endure it for a few more months, what's the problem?

!”

While speaking, Li Zicheng looked at Yuan Shikai's face and looked at the rosy complexion. For a moment, he didn't know whether he should be happy or worried. In this time and space, the development of history has changed. Even Yuan Shikai's face in front of him

Destiny has also changed, including his body, if...

"Zhiyuan, do you think our expeditionary force can win?"

Yuan Shikai was somewhat uneasy about Li Zicheng's gamble. After all, the expeditionary force had to deal with the Germans.

"Have the determination to be benevolent and have the belief that you will win...at least it won't be too ugly!"

Any changes in the country will have no impact on the expeditionary officers and soldiers in Europe. For the Chinese Expeditionary Force, which is composed of the Central Army and the local provincial army, their minds are completely focused on this war.

Now, after suffering discrimination and waiting anxiously, as the First Division of the Expeditionary Force entered Verdun, China was truly involved in this European war. For any Chinese, they

What they felt was shock, and the sacrifices on the front line were tragic. For them, they have long been accustomed to it, even for many soldiers. Even for many soldiers, they have heard of "Alfredo" countless times on the front line.

"German Roar", but in their view, this is not an invincible victory. For the nearly 19,000 officers and soldiers of the First Division, the only thing they need now is to fight to defeat the Germans. They have no regrets

They have traveled thousands of miles to come here to fight for their interests for the country and the nation...

Is such a sacrifice worth it?

No one will think about it. After being discriminated against, every expeditionary officer and soldier understands what they need to do and what they should do. This is their duty and their obligation, although deep down in the hearts of the officers and soldiers

.It can be said that they fight for victory with the belief that they will die, but the most intense thing about the war is the tension and anticipation.

However, when they came to the front line with full confidence, what disappointed every officer and soldier of the First Division was that they were not sent directly to the front line, but were in the field fortifications behind the Yongbei Fortress, which was far away from the front line.

, they entered into waiting here again.

He Sui, the commander of the First Division, walked into his division headquarters. The tired general's coat was hung casually on the hanger. His body was covered with dust. Although after arriving at the front line, their combat mission was not yet clear, but

After negotiating with the Verdun headquarters, he seized the time and allowed officers above the company level of the First Division to come close for observation and study.

Today, the battle in Verdun is still bloody and fierce. The German attack force has advanced more than two kilometers. More than 5,000 French soldiers have been killed and thousands more have been captured. Moreover, the French are also going crazy in the past few days.

Reserve troops were drawn from all fronts to strengthen their troops and firearms.

However, just a few hours ago, the French army, which was struggling to support itself on the first line of defense, was finally defeated again. Now the headquarters' second and third lines of defense are preparing to stop the German attack.

It was also today that He Sui saw what "Alfred's Roar" was, and because of this, he understood a way. If at this time, the French joined them as a new force and threw them into this meat grinder!

I'm afraid it will be difficult for the First Division to hold the line of defense! If the French army on the flanks collapses by then! Then the First Division is very likely to...

"We have to find a way!"

As soon as he entered the headquarters, He Sui shouted to Li Guohui.

"Lying in the trench like this, you must be waiting to die!"

"What can I do?"

"Do you remember Major Engelfield's class at Army College?"

While He Sui and Li Guohui were discussing how to fight there, facing the loss of the front line in Avize, General Pétain, commander-in-chief of the French army in Verdun, and his staff finally thought of the Chinese Expeditionary Force. Although

This is just a new force of a division! But if they are put into the battlefield, the sacrifices of some French people can be reduced to some extent! For God's sake, the lives of these young people. Every little bit can be saved!

Although Pétain was also skeptical about the combat effectiveness of the Chinese ** Corps. However, thinking of the political needs of Prime Minister Briand, he also thought that the Chinese ** Corps was only engaged in counterattack. If they were all sacrificed, then the Marshal also got his

The reason - the combat effectiveness of the Chinese ** team is unbelievable. Of course, if by luck, they succeed, then in the eyes of Prime Minister Briand, he will become a wise decision-maker who knows and employs people.

In connection with the current dissatisfaction of the Paris Army Ministry with Marshal Joffre, although Prime Minister Briand is worried that changing the general now may lead to the defeat of the French army, because Marshal Joffre has given various explanations, one thing that can be imagined is that the era of Joffre is coming to an end.

, then the next one is...

After repeated consideration for a variety of reasons, and also because of the reason stated by the staff that "anyway, the squadron is just a waste of German ammunition", Bétain made a decision - to put the squadron into silent use.

Cote du Powavre on the right bank of the Zhe River! The Chinese ** team is responsible for recovering the position that the French army just lost!

A motorcycle suddenly stopped at the door of the 1st Division Headquarters of the Expeditionary Force. When a French signal soldier wearing a leather trench coat walked into the door of the Division Headquarters, He Sui was still discussing with Li Guohui how to conduct defensive operations and how to resist Germany.

Human shelling. Li Guohui, who had been discussing with He Sui, saw the French signal troops and asked in French with a cold face:….

"Private, what's the matter?"

Knowing that these were senior generals of the Chinese Expeditionary Force, the communications soldiers hurriedly saluted and handed over the communications leather case they were carrying. Although Li Guohui knew some simple French, he still couldn't read these things. His subordinates

The staff officer, who was proficient in French, gathered together with the liaison officer and issued orders.

"Xufu, get up quickly, clean up Petain and let us go to Aviz. It seems that we are going to the battlefield this time!"

Hearing what the Chief of Staff said, He Sui frowned slightly. What is supposed to come will always come!

"Walk!"

In the French Army Headquarters in Avize, it has already been a tense and busy atmosphere. Whenever the front line is in adversity, the headquarters is undoubtedly the busiest. The ringing of telephones and the ticking of telegrams merge into one here.

Regiment, while signal troops on motorcycles and horses were rushing back and forth. Dust was flying on an emergency road in front of the headquarters.

At this time, there was another burst of smoke and dust on the road. A convoy of two cars and a truck was speeding towards here. The five-color Chinese national flag was hung on the front of the car. Those yellow-skinned generals are coming! Pétain stopped and several subordinates

The conversation strode into the war room where the chief of staff was being sorted out, and a group of senior staff officers and representatives from the headquarters were waiting inside.

The sound of military boots sounded at the door, and He Sui and Li Guohui strode in, accompanied by several staff officers and French liaison officers. When they saw Petain standing there and looking at them, the group of people quickly stood at attention and saluted.

Although they doubted the combat effectiveness of these squadrons, these French generals and officers were unwilling to be accused of being rude. The other party's salutes were seriously returned by these French officers.

After a brief chat, Pétain pointed to the sand tray on the table and said.
To be continued...