Beiyang reactionaries

But what is the result of the war so far?

The gold reserves are gone, and the gold and silver mined every year are simply a drop in the bucket.In desperation, the UK has been selling their overseas assets, and within a few years they have sold more than US$120 billion in overseas assets.These British gold reserves and overseas assets have basically fallen into the hands of the United States and China.

If it weren't for the emergence of the US "Lease Act", Britain would have been unable to afford those war supplies.Although the United States took advantage of the war to loot and plundered Britain's overseas assets, including Britain's overseas colonies.But the "Lease Act" of the United States is also a life-saving bill for the United Kingdom.However, the United States supported the United Kingdom with the "Lend-Lease Act", but China was different. It has always asked the United Kingdom to pay in real money.In order to maintain the India-Myanmar front, Britain purchased a large amount of arms and military supplies from China.Too much money has been spent and Britain is now empty pocketed.They even sold a lot of their gold mines, iron mines, and copper mines in South Africa, as well as their oil ownership in Iran, to China, but they still lack money.

This is true in Britain, and even more so in the Soviet Union.

The Soviet Union was right next to China, and a large amount of materials from the US "Lend-Lease" flowed into the Soviet Union through China.And China has gone too far to pluck the feathers, asking the Soviet Union for tolls.The gold reserves of the Soviet Union are completely consumed.

So both Britain and the Soviet Union wanted China to end this situation.

Moreover, China has been swaying left and right. Now that it wants to join the anti-fascist alliance, of course it should show some sincerity.From the perspective of the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union, China's greatest sincerity is to pass the "Lend-Lease Act" like the United States.Use this method to support the current anti-fascist war.

After several hours of discussion, Duan Xun promised that Britain, the United States and the Soviet Union would hold a meeting immediately after returning to discuss the Chinese version of the "Lend-Lease Act."

It is precisely because of these proposals related to China that the meeting was protracted.Moreover, during this meeting, the conflict between Britain and the Soviet Union was very serious, and the debate between Stalin and Churchill was very intense.

On almost every proposal, two people disagree.This is also understandable. After all, the two countries are European powers, and both countries will play a big role in future European affairs.The situation in Germany is getting worse and worse. Both Britain and the Soviet Union are considering how to expand their power in Europe after the war.

Roosevelt was very stable in comparison.

Although the United States is eyeing Europe, it is ready to take advantage of the current opportunity to completely intervene in European affairs.But Roosevelt is not in a hurry, and he will not end himself with his arm.Instead Roosevelt had been watching the debate between Stalin and Churchill and then intervening as an arbiter.

The result of this is that the United States gets the most benefits, and many proposals are very beneficial to the interests of the United States.

In order to get the support of the United States, the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union can only make concessions in many aspects and agree with the United States' ideas.On the issue of opening up a second battlefield in Europe, Roosevelt supported the Soviet Union's plan.But in other respects, Roosevelt supported Churchill more.

Including the German plan and the Polish plan after the war, the interests of Britain and the United States began to align, and they all hoped to prevent the growth of the Soviet Union's power in Europe.Roosevelt is very smart and very calm, of course, this is based on the strong strength of the United States.Roosevelt acted as a referee between Stalin and Churchill, striving for the best interests of the United States.

After discussing the issue of opening up the second battlefield in Europe, the status of Poland, and the issue of dealing with Germany, the Soviet Union proposed the idea of ​​temporarily taking over the Black Sea Strait.As soon as Stalin proposed this idea, Churchill met with fierce opposition.

Temporary takeover of the Black Sea Strait?

Churchill did not believe in Soviet ethics.

It is said that it is a temporary takeover. After the Soviet Union takes control of this place, it must be Liu Bei who borrows Jingzhou and never returns.If the Soviet Union controls the Black Sea Strait, then the power of the Soviet Union will be greatly expanded, not only directly controlling the Balkans, but also affecting the Mediterranean Sea and North Africa.

"I propose to temporarily take over this place to end the war as soon as possible. Allowing our Black Sea Fleet to freely enter and exit the Black Sea is also beneficial to the 'Mediterranean Plan' that Mr. Prime Minister has always insisted on."

The Black Sea Strait, this is the sea outlet that the Soviet Union has pursued for hundreds of years.

How could you give up.

However, Stalin at least had to maintain some demeanor, and did not directly say that the Soviet Union wanted to control the Black Sea Strait.It just stated that in order to speed up the end of the war in the Balkans, it will temporarily take over the Black Sea Strait.

The United Kingdom and the United States are required to put pressure on Turkey to allow Turkey to agree to this request.

"I think the most important thing at this stage is not the Balkans, but how to open up the European battlefield and cooperate with the Soviet army. At this time, there is no need to offend Turkey, and winning over Turkey is the important thing."

After the meeting, Roosevelt, who had never talked much, also expressed his views.

Want to control the Black Sea Strait?

Are you kidding me?

Although there are many differences between Britain and the United States, the two countries have a deep relationship after all, and they have the same ideas in many aspects.In comparison, Russia has traditionally had many conflicts with countries in continental Europe and the United Kingdom.Not to mention that after the establishment of the Soviet Union, the world communist movement was booming.Even more so after the Great Depression.After the Great Depression, many intellectuals believed that capitalism had gone bankrupt, and began to turn to the Soviet Union and accept Soviet communism.The result was a huge increase in Soviet influence.

In terms of guarding against the communist movement, it goes without saying that Britain and the United States, the Axis powers are also the same.They were all wary of the Soviet Union, and none of them wanted the Soviet Union to continue to support the international communist movement.So Stalin wanted the Black Sea Strait, and of course Roosevelt opposed it.

Stalin's face was very ugly.

Although he knew that the United Kingdom and the United States would not agree to the Soviet Union taking over the Black Sea Strait, he was so opposed by Churchill and Roosevelt just after he said it, which still made Stalin very angry.

"For Türkiye? I don't think it's necessary at all."

Duan Xun knew that he needed to speak at this time.

How could Duan Xun see Stalin fighting alone, so he said: "In order to end the war as soon as possible, it is normal for the Soviet Union to temporarily take over the Black Sea Strait. If Turkey is smart, he should agree, or should take the initiative to agree. After all, he is very important to Turkey in the anti-fascist war. No credit at all. Unless he wants to support the Axis powers, there is no reason to be against this. If Turkey wants to join the anti-fascist alliance, this is what Turkey should do."

"Chairman Duan, I think this sentence should not be, or you are not qualified to say such a thing."

Churchill snorted coldly.

Duan Xun smiled and said, "What the prime minister means is that China has not contributed to the anti-fascist war, so we are not qualified to say Turkey, right?"

Churchill did not speak, but the meaning was clear.

Not to mention that China has not contributed to the anti-fascist war, it is also the big backer of the Axis powers.If it weren't for the fact that China is a big and powerful country, Britain, the United States and the Soviet Union would all wish to join forces to attack China.How can Duan Xun be allowed to talk freely in such a meeting.

Duan Xun spread his hands and said: "So I didn't think about making any demands when I came this time. The meeting hoped that our country would suspend the trade with the Axis countries, and I promised to solve it as soon as possible. I said that I will proceed with it when I go back. Have I objected? This time I came here in person, have I made any demands? Our country can do this, why can’t Turkey do the same?"

750

"Strong words make sense."

Churchill was furious.

Although both China and Turkey are wall grass, there are differences between wall grass.Turkey has an important geographical location and a large population, but its national strength is not very strong.Therefore, he dared not offend anyone, neither the Axis nor Britain, the United States and the Soviet Union.

Therefore, the strategy chosen by Türkiye is to swing left and right.

In this process, Turkey has indeed obtained many unexpected benefits.But Turkey's wavering, neutral attitude is more of a last resort.It is the best diplomatic strategy a weak country can adopt.Moreover, Turkey has not completely fallen to the Axis powers, which is beneficial to Britain, the United States and the Soviet Union.After all, Germany was not small in Iran and Iraq before, and its relationship with Turkey is not bad.If Turkey really fell to Germany when the Axis powers were at its most rampant, then the entire Balkans and the Middle East would become Germany's sphere of influence.At that time, Germany's energy problem can be solved, and even Germany and Japan choose to meet in the Middle East.

Therefore, although Britain, the United States and the Soviet Union did not like Turkey, they were also happy that Turkey chose to be neutral.As long as Türkiye does not fall to the Axis powers.Contempt for Türkiye, Britain and the United States is more than disgust.

But what about China?

A complete warmonger.

The strength of Germany, Italy and Japan is much stronger than in history. The reason is that the Axis powers are backed by China, the world's second largest industrial country.Since before the outbreak of the war, China's supplies have continuously supported Germany, Italy and Japan.After the war broke out, China was still the largest supplier of resources to Germany, Italy and Japan.Later, the war machines of Germany, Italy and Japan became bigger and bigger, and the three countries of Germany, Italy and Japan began to lack light industrial products.

At that time, a large number of Chinese light industrial products entered Germany, Italy and Japan to ensure their daily life and allow them to safely and boldly produce military products.In other words, although China did not join the Axis powers, its contribution to the Axis powers was no worse than that of Germany, Italy, and Japan.It can be said that the Axis Powers were raised by China.

Such a country, if it wants to turn around and join the anti-fascist alliance, it should bow its knees and ask for forgiveness from Britain, the United States and the Soviet Union.But look at Duan Xun who came to the meeting, how can he see sincerity.Instead, consider yourself the master.

"Prime Minister Churchill, why are you angry?"

Duan Xun kept smiling all the time, and said: "We gathered here today to discuss these matters. Even if there are some differences between us, we can reach a consensus through discussion. Getting angry is of no use to the meeting. Since Prime Minister Churchill is so Against the Soviet Union's proposal, I think it can also be put on hold for the time being."

Listening to Duan Xun's words, Roosevelt frowned slightly.

During the Tehran Conference, Roosevelt met Duan Xun for the first time.But after these few days of contact, Roosevelt also has some judgments about Duan Xun.Duan Xun looked polite on the surface, he didn't look like he was from the military at all, he looked more like a knowledgeable intellectual.But during his contact with Duan Xun, Roosevelt felt that kind of strong self-confidence from Duan Xun.

After all, Duan Xun has been in charge of Beijing for more than 20 years, and he has almost kept his word among the Chinese party, government and army.This style of doing things has not changed in any way because of coming to Tehran.

It was just hidden by Duan Xun.