A Journey Through the Flames of War in the Republican Era

The Hans Kingdom understood the attitude of the Huaxia Kingdom.

At a time when China urgently needs international military aid to deal with the ambitious East Asian countries, the lack of proactive action from the Western powers such as the United States, Britain, and France has prevented China from obtaining substantial assistance from them. Therefore, actively seeking military cooperation and aid from the Hans is the most pressing interest driving the Chinese government at present.

In recent years, the friendly cooperation between China and Germany has become increasingly close, resulting in mutually beneficial outcomes that have satisfied both sides. China's military restructuring, equipment levels, and economic strength have all seen significant growth. However, Japan, which has long coveted China, is extremely dissatisfied with this and has protested, demanding that Germany withdraw its aid to China.

Hitler's goal was the European continent, expanding eastward and westward. His eastward expansion targeted the East European Plain, with a particular interest in acquiring grains and energy resources from the Caucasus region. The Soviet Union was a formidable adversary he had to confront.

The Soviet Union, spanning Eurasia, was a common enemy of both the Han and Eastern nations. This presented an opportunity for them to seek an alliance. The Han needed to win over the Eastern nations to hinder the Soviet Union in the Far East, thereby weakening and counterbalancing the powerful Soviet Union. They also needed the Eastern navy to contain the naval power of the United States and Britain in the Pacific, preventing them from focusing on Europe.

Although the Hitler administration had always held a low opinion of the Japanese people and considered their aggression against their partner, China, to be extremely despicable, Japan's expansion in the Far East posed a serious threat to the interests of the United States, Britain, and the Soviet Union, creating a significant check on them.

Politics, after all, is not something that serves personal likes and dislikes; no matter how you look at it, he could not ignore Japan. In his eyes, Japan was simply a tool that Germany could use.

The commander with the mustache was playing a clever game. He needed China's abundant strategic resources and huge market for industrial and military products, and he also needed Japan to contain the Western powers in the Far East.

Similarly, China and Japan naturally have their own strategic goals and strategies.

Each of the three had their own thoughts and plans.

A very delicate relationship was formed between Hans and China and the island nation.

Last November, Germany and Japan signed the "Anti-CP International Agreement" in Berlin. However, this agreement is somewhat detached from reality, lacking concrete measures and unlike the in-depth economic and military cooperation with China.

However, Germany and Japan have become increasingly close in terms of fascist ideology and strategy, and relations between the two countries have warmed up. In this process, whether or not to recognize the puppet state of Manchukuo, which was controlled by Japan, has become a test for Germany's diplomatic relations with China and Japan.

The commander with the mustache adopted a strategy of not offending either side: Germany only engaged in general trade relations with Manchukuo, without involving any political implications. In this way, he both won over Japan and did not excessively provoke China.

However, the leader also understood that this had touched a nerve in China, had a very negative impact on China, and added more unfavorable variables to the relationship between China and Germany.

This explains why China has recently reversed its usual practice of swallowing its anger and yielding to others, and has adopted a tough stance towards Germany. Perhaps they are also reminding themselves that if Japanese aggression is not effectively contained or if Sino-German cooperation changes, China will inevitably seek assistance from the United States and Britain, and even the Soviet Union.

Out of self-interest and strategic considerations, the leader told his advisors: "Technical exchanges limited to trade are not an urgent problem for Germany."

This means that economic and military trade cooperation will continue, but political neutrality will be maintained; it is not yet time to clearly choose between China and Japan.

However, the leader was also unwilling to see the Chinese government take a pro-Soviet stance and the Soviet Union's influence in China expand. He further did not want Japan to become too deeply entrenched in China and unable to pose a threat to the Soviet Union, as that would force China to turn pro-Soviet, seriously impacting the German Empire's strategy.

His advisory group suggested that, in recent years, the Soviet Union's sale of the Chinese Eastern Railway to Manchukuo despite repeated opposition and negotiations from China was tantamount to a tacit recognition of Manchukuo. Furthermore, the signing of the Soviet-Mongolian Mutual Assistance Agreement had created a crisis in Sino-Soviet relations, prompting China to consider further compromises with Japan and its alignment with Germany. Germany should mediate to urge both China and Japan to quickly cease their confrontation, avoid further complications, and especially prevent the Soviet Union from reaping the benefits.

The leader then instructed Ambassador Trautmann to China to tell the Chinese government: "Our country will not abandon its previous friendly and cooperative stance towards China, and Germany is willing to mediate and mediate between China and Japan."

This was a good proposal for China. Both Chiang Kai-shek, who was in charge of the military, and Wang Jingwei, who was in charge of the government, believed that they could not resist the tyrannical Japan on their own in the short term, and unanimously agreed to seek peace with Japan. The condition was that Japan must stop its aggressive actions and restore the situation to the state before the September 18 Incident. This was a desperate attempt to break the deadlock under immense pressure.

However, the insatiable Japanese were naturally unwilling to relinquish their ill-gotten gains. Not only were they unwilling to give up their gradual encroachment on North China, but they were also unwilling to return Northeast China. The Japanese conditions were that the Chinese government must recognize the puppet Manchukuo and Mongol regimes, establish a demilitarized zone in North China, and appoint pro-Japanese figures as the administrative heads of North China.

The higher-ups, not daring to defy public opinion, naturally refused to agree to this condition. However, China's national strength was too weak, and internal and external affairs were not yet at peace. The Nationalist government could only cling to the illusion of "international mediation and peaceful resolution" and continue to try to achieve temporary peace through compromise.

Each of the three kingdoms had its own agenda.

Faced with enormous differences, despite the efforts of German Ambassador to China Trautmann and Ambassador to Japan to mediate between Nanjing and Tokyo, the strategic intention of the Hitler regime to "mediate, achieve friendship among the three parties, and unite against the Soviet Union" ultimately came to nothing and gradually became a fantasy.

Song Hongfei possesses an extraordinary, almost superhuman, insightful perspective. Having personally witnessed certain major events, combined with his own observations and feelings, he has a profound understanding of the international situation and strategic landscape. He always manages to arrive at admirable and accurate judgments and insightful observations, many of which have been adopted by high-level officials.

What is even more astonishing is that, in retrospect, his analysis and judgment can be described as divine prophecy.

The political figures and high-ranking generals who had frequent contact with him loved to discuss current affairs with him. They were always enlightened and admired his foresight and wisdom, exclaiming that he was truly a prophet.

Nanjing, Dingjiaqiao, Army Transportation School.

Song Hongfei came to give a course on mechanized warfare tactics and strategies to the armored troops. After class, as usual, he discussed the current situation and armored troop tactics with Xu Yuexiang and Du Guangting in the principal's office.

A staff officer from the school's duty room strode in and said to Song Hongfei, "Regimental Commander Song, the Military Commission's adjutant's office has an urgent call for you!"

"Oh? The Military Commission? They've come all this way?" Xu Yuexiang and Du Guangting couldn't help but feel a little surprised.

Song Hongfei answered the phone in the duty room: "Okay, I understand! I'll be right there!"

The person on the other end of the phone immediately replied, "No need! Just wait at the Transportation School; we've already sent a car to pick you up."

Before Song Hongfei could hang up, another phone rang in the duty room. A staff officer picked up the receiver: "Transportation and Logistics School, where are you from?"

The staff officer then turned to Song Hongfei and said, "Commander Song, they're also looking for you."

On the other end of the phone was Fu Zhaoqian, Chief of Staff of the Training Corps: "Hongfei, the Military Commission's General Staff Office just called to tell you to come immediately. I told you that you were giving a lecture at the Transportation and Logistics School. The General Staff Office said they called the Transportation and Logistics School again. Have they contacted you?"

Song Hongfei said, "I just received a call from them."

Song Hongfei returned to Xu Yuexiang's office, where Xu Yuexiang asked, "Is there anything urgent at the Military Commission?"

Song Hongfei didn't know either: "They didn't say anything on the phone, they just told me to come over immediately."

Xu Yuexiang nodded and said, "If someone can find this place, it must be something important. Thank you for coming to give the lecture today. I'll send a car to take you there right away."

Song Hongfei said, "They said they've already sent a car here."

"Wow!" Xu Yuexiang and Du Guangting became even more curious and joked, "The Military Commission came to pick you up personally? That's quite an honor! Who else gets this kind of treatment!"

Song Hongfei said, "Why don't you mention that you, a lieutenant general and a major general, both have official cars? I'm just a colonel, how could I have such treatment?"

On ordinary days, when he was invited to give lectures or conduct research by units such as the Ordnance Department, the Army University, the Central Military Academy, and the Transportation and Logistics School, they would provide transportation for him.

Song Hongfei arrived at a meeting room of the Military Commission, where several leaders and Yu Dawei were already present.

The meeting had been going on for some time before Song Hongfei arrived, and its theme was to discuss the policy and strategy of actively seeking foreign military cooperation and assistance after the path of "peace with Japan" had become unfeasible.

At the meeting, Yu Dawei spoke eloquently: "War clouds are looming, and the situation is urgent, but our military reorganization plan and arms industry still need a considerable amount of time. We don't have many bargaining chips. Computers, light weapons design, and mechanized warfare are some of our few powerful tools, which are definitely strong bargaining chips."

It was Yu Dawei's suggestion that led the Military Commission to resolve to further deepen military cooperation with Germany. Song Hongfei was the only one well-versed in these three key strengths, making him the most suitable person to negotiate related matters with the German side.

And right now there is an excellent opportunity.

With the coronation of King George VI taking place in Britain this month, Ambassador Gu Weijun to France had previously advised senior officials of the Nationalist government that this was an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas with Europe and the United States.

As early as the beginning of April, China sent a delegation to Europe to attend the coronation ceremony of the British King. The delegation was headed by Kong Yongzhi, Vice Premier and Minister of Finance, as special envoy, and Chen Houfu, Minister of the Navy, as deputy special envoy. Gui Yongqing, the commander of the Training Corps, was also a member of the delegation.

The purpose of the Chinese government delegation's visit was twofold: first, to strengthen exchanges, enhance friendship, and expand friendly cooperation; and second, to lobby in an attempt to use the interests of the great powers in China to restrain and postpone the full-scale invasion of China by the Japanese.

Another objective is self-evident: to seek support and assistance from European and American countries in terms of economic loans and military purchases.

According to the schedule, after attending the coronation ceremony of the British King, Kong Yongzhi's special envoy will visit Berlin in early June at the invitation of Germany.

The Military Commission meeting lasted until late at night, meticulously studying various matters and countermeasures.

Song Hongfei was entrusted with a heavy responsibility. The Military Commission decided to send him to Berlin to meet with the special envoy delegation. He also had a top-secret mission.

Yu Dawei solemnly said, "When necessary, you can use our 'trump card' as you see fit."

Song Hongfei's heart skipped a beat. Looking at Yu Dawei's solemn expression, he knew what the trump card was. This secret weapon was so closely guarded that Yu Dawei hadn't even revealed it to the leaders present.

Song Hongfei looked at the high-ranking military officials and saw them nod slightly with serious expressions. He understood that this was a decision made after careful consideration by the high-ranking officials, and solemnly replied, "Understood! Hongfei will live up to the trust placed in him and fulfill his mission!"

The next day, accompanied by several agents of the Military Commission, Song Hongfei boarded a Ju-52 Junkers transport plane of Eurasia Airlines, a joint venture between China Express Airlines and Lufthansa, and flew directly to Guangzhou. He then transferred to Hong Kong Island and boarded an Italian cruise ship that was docked in Victoria Harbour, embarking on his journey to Berlin.