Things always have two sides. Although the huge military expenditures in the past three years have put the empire under huge financial pressure, at this stage, the strength of the empire's navy, land and air forces is unchallengeable around the world. Britain is now Why are you afraid of China? Because China does not need to spend extra money to go to war with Britain, and Britain simply cannot afford so much money.
?? Purely compared to combat level, the British Spitfire is no worse than the J-3 series fighters, and is even stronger in many performance parameters. But to produce 28,754 aircraft, where can the British find so much money?
The current situation is very simple. If the UK wants to go to war with China, there will be no problem. The premise is that you first spend 3 billion pounds in military expenditure as the bottom line. The UK¡¯s total annual central fiscal revenue is only 200 million pounds. Where can it borrow 30 billion pounds? Billion pounds?
"Modern war is about fighting for money, and only those who have money are the real world hegemons.
The British can insist that the white people are better than the Chinese in every aspect, but the machinery and military equipment are the same. When the war between China and Britain actually starts, even if the British sell off all their wealth and collect 3 billion pounds in military expenditures to start the war, Will China be able to raise 10 billion pounds in military spending?
If you don¡¯t have money, don¡¯t come to compete with the Chinese Empire, and don¡¯t compete for the throne of the world¡¯s ocean hegemony.
After reading the financial report submitted by the central government, Song Biao also felt that the military expenditure in these years was too large. Even if the central government is the richest government in the world, it cannot afford such a level of long-term consumption.
When he looked at this financial report, he had one question in mind, that is, between Germany and Britain, he could only choose to attack one. Germany, like the United States, was a threat to the empire at this stage and in the future, and Britain Really just a threat from the past.
Britain is the main resistance that prevents the Chinese Empire from becoming a world hegemon. Only by kicking Britain out of Asia can the Empire officially become a well-deserved world hegemon. However, if the Empire does not stop the expansion of Nazi Germany, it will definitely encounter challenges from Nazi Germany in the future. Even if the empire manages to defeat Britain and Germany at the same time, it will be too difficult to meet the challenge of the United States in the future.
In a peaceful development environment, China is not afraid of challenges from the United States, but it lacks enough means to restrict the development of the United States. Therefore, when facing competition from the United States, China can only rely on normal competition and development to suppress the United States in the world for a long time. second position.
The decline of Britain is an inevitable trend in history. Don¡¯t worry too much about this issue. As long as you boil the frog slowly and gradually promote the liberalization of Asia and Africa, the British Empire will become a thing of the past.
Therefore, the real biggest threat to the current Chinese Empire is Nazi Germany, which has always insisted on expanding its national strength through military expansion.
Song Biao is very clear about this.
After reading the report, Song Biao did not give any special approval because the situation was not particularly bad. The overseas claims and domestic and overseas trust assets held by the central government were all operating assets, just like those held by the German government. There are 15 shares of Siemens. These are all assets that can be sold, excluding non-profit roads, reservoirs, schools, etc. that are nominally owned by the state. The total value of these assets is higher, but they cannot be sold. Selling for cash.
This means that the central government can continue to cash out 20 billion to 40 billion yuan in funds for other wars and to cope with other new challenges, including continuing to expand large-scale and sustained investment in scientific research and development and education.
After the empire defeated the Soviet Union and Japan, it is indeed not easy for the central government's finances to maintain its current level.
In principle, Song Biao did not plan to make any comments on this matter. He simply approved the report with the word "read" and returned the report to Chen Jin who was accompanying him without any comments.
As the Minister of Finance, Chen Jin was the first person responsible for this matter. He waited for a long time to see the emperor and had no special opinions, so he took the initiative to mention: "Your Majesty, will the central government's operating investment continue to maintain its original status?" policy?"
Song Biao took this time to light a Yuxi cigar and thought for a moment before replying: "It can continue to be maintained. I personally think that the four major trust companies should consider more support in addition to normal large-scale project operations, investments and financial management services." For the development of high-tech enterprises and small and medium-sized private enterprises, the four major trust companies can also be listed and introduce more reasonable and appropriate management and supervision mechanisms."
The four major trust companies in China usually refer to the four central government operating asset trust management companies, China International Trust and Investment Corporation, China National Trust and Reserve Corporation, China State Investment Bank Corporation, and China Industrial Holdings Corporation, plus China Far East Trust Investment. Banking companies and China United Holdings are the six major trusts, respectively referred to as CITIC, China Reserve, CIC, China Holding, COSCO and China United. In fact, the aboveOne is owned by the central government, and the other two are owned by the royal family.
The four major government trust companies owned by the central government have different business scopes. China Reserve is mainly responsible for participating in commodity trust management and investment operations at home and abroad. The main investment areas are concentrated in oil, iron ore, copper, manganese, tungsten, and soybeans. , cotton, wheat and other conventional international commodities. It is responsible for stabilizing the value of international commodities and minimizing the impact of short-term commodity price fluctuations on the domestic economy.
CIC is mainly involved in financing services for domestic and foreign financial enterprises and very large projects, issuing loans to foreign governments and underwriting treasury bonds. One of its very regular functions is to provide development loans to foreign governments and contract projects to domestic enterprises.
SUPCON mainly participates in trust investments of domestic pillar enterprises and industries, provides entrepreneurial capital for high-tech enterprises, participates in the construction and management of domestic and overseas industrial parks, cooperates with the central government to provide financial and technical support to key enterprises, and supports and coordinates the participation of key enterprises. International competition, as well as adjusting domestic industrial production capacity, promoting overall industrial progress, and leading large-scale cross-company technical cooperation and scientific research and development.
China Reserve, China Investment Corporation, and China Holdings are all very professional and very large government asset trust management companies, while China International Trust Company is a typical comprehensive very large trust company, with branches in 92 countries and regions around the world. Participating in investment and financial services in the global economy, CITIC is also the most powerful of the four major companies.
The central government adopts an appointment system for the management of the four major trust companies. It selects qualified senior managers through open recruitment in the country, and the prime minister personally appoints the presidents of the four major trust companies, jointly by the Central Audit Office and the national social review agency. Conduct annual reviews of the four major companies. In fact, the four major trust companies are also the targets of the Central Bureau of Investigation¡¯s annual census and supervision.
The investigation is very strict, but in terms of specific operation and management, once appointed, the presidents of the four major companies will receive absolute management authority, which is conducive to flexible operations and more effective internal management. In addition to asset ownership belonging to the central government, other aspects are the same. Normal companies don't make any difference.
At least in the past few decades, the model of the four major companies has been very successful. On a global scale, the situation of the four major central trust companies of the empire is also a special case, so many people think that the Chinese empire belongs to the category of state capitalism.
Success in the past does not mean success in the future.
Song Biao was skeptical about this, so he felt that the four major trust companies still had to go public and accept more channels of supervision. Of course, the situation of the four major trust companies was very special. Before going public, they might have to promote new policies in Congress. The legislation is designed to protect many basic principles for the four major trust companies to serve the country.
Chen Jin agrees with Song Biao's proposal.
Chen Jin nodded and said, "The four major trust companies are currently the most important financial pillars of the central government. Without the financial guarantee provided by the four major companies, the central government's finances would be able to sustain the empire after the war between China, Japan and the Soviet Union. It will be a war, but the huge fiscal deficit we will face in the aftermath will definitely be very painful. As far as the current finances are concerned, even if we go to war with the British over the war in India, it will not be too difficult."
Song Biao smoked a cigar and continued to think about this matter in his mind. After a while, he said to Chen Jin: "I don't think Britain is the enemy we must face in the end. The end of European colonialism is an inevitable trend of history. As long as If we advance step by step, it may take ten to twenty years to gradually complete this process."
Chen Jin was somewhat surprised. Thinking of the editorial that the emperor arranged for the inner court to write in Vladivostok, he guessed that the emperor had already adjusted his policy thinking towards Europe in his heart, and immediately asked: "Does your Majesty think that Nazi-style Germany is a greater threat to our country?"
Song Biao nodded slightly and said: "The only two countries that can challenge the empire now are the United States and Germany. Britain, which was founded on colonization, will collapse sooner or later. We only need to act as a pusher, not a wall-breaker." Hammer. As for Germany, this threat will be a very dangerous thing, while the danger in the United States is not dangerous on the one hand, at least it will not threaten the development of the empire, but it is also long-term and thorny."
Chen Jin asked: "Does that mean that the empire must impose stricter restrictions on Germany, even at the risk of war?"
Song Biao is unwilling to answer this question. At least there is no need to give an accurate answer to this question yet.
He avoided this topic and continued to talk about Britain with Chen Jin, saying: "The British now criticize us for being the same state socialists as Nazi Germany. It is undeniable that we have similarities in system with the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany, but this There is a common principle behind this similarity, which is to ensure the country's strength in large-scale wars, and at the same time, we have also protected more development space for private enterprises and individual freedom. To a certain extent, we are indeed implementing a special political system between Britain and the United States, the Soviet Union, and Germany, but this system is also conducive to the development of the empire. "
Speaking of this, Song Biao emphasized again quite seriously: "The special system is where our advantage lies. Looking back on the past, we have already established such a system during the Tang Shaoyi cabinet period. It is in this system that we On the basis of Zhang Kangnian, as the Minister of Finance of that period, he could make very outstanding contributions, which almost laid the financial foundation of today¡¯s central government. Zhang Kangnian was very prosperous during that period, and everyone praised him for his greatness, but when we carefully Analysis of the reasons, more credit is due to the advantages of the system itself. I do not think that the current system is the best and does not need reform at all. On the contrary, we should continue to work hard. First, we must ensure the advantages of the system, and the establishment of the system and reform depend on our thoughts. Therefore, looking back on the past thirty years, we will find that there is no absolute right or wrong in this world. Every social thought and doctrine has its advantages and disadvantages, and we We have to stand at a very high level to comprehensively weigh the pros and cons.¡±
Chen Jin is an extremely smart person, and he understands the intention of Emperor Song Biao's words. Now there are many people who have the opportunity to run for the next prime minister, and he is one of them. If he wants to win the election, he must first stand up. Think about the problem from the perspective of an imperial prime minister and think about China's future.
The system depends on doctrine, and China's doctrine is extremely complex. Its root is the idea of ??restoration. As long as it is conducive to the strength and restoration of the nation, it is beneficial.
He understood the emperor¡¯s intention and was not in a hurry to answer. He just nodded silently in approval.
To be honest, Song Biao appreciates Chen Jin's talents very much. If he can give Chen Jin a good foundation, what achievements Chen Jin can achieve and the role he can play in promoting the empire will bring great benefits to the empire. The national interest will be no less than that of Zhang Kangnian, who was said to have "made great contributions to the future".
People always say that the achievements made by Zhang Kangnien during his ten-year term as finance minister are "efforts that last a thousand years." Today, after the end of the Sino-Soviet and Sino-Japanese wars, it can be seen that without the four major trust companies that Zhang Kangnien left behind And the large-scale central government investment assets, how can the empire have such a strong foundation today?
So, a good finance minister is very important.
In his conversation with Chen Jin, Song Biao opened up two topics at the same time. One was the threat of Britain, Germany and the United States to the empire with different characteristics; the other was the difference between the dominant political and economic ideas, doctrines and systems of the empire and those of Britain, Germany and the Soviet Union. .
Chen Jin is very smart. He knows that the two topics mentioned by the emperor are actually the same topic.
From the perspective of the empire, the two left-right extremisms of the Soviet Union and Germany did pose a great threat to the empire, but they were not as nervous as those of the United Kingdom and the United States. The threats to the empire from the Soviet Union, Germany, Britain, and the United States were actually about the same.
The empire does not matter whether it is left or right. As long as it is conducive to the great restoration of the empire and the Chinese nation, it is reasonable, useful, and usable. Considering that the emperor is promoting new ideological integration and party integration, Chen Jin has a hunch, He feels that the mainstream political thought of the Chinese Empire may gradually take shape during this period, in the past few years. On the basis of constantly absorbing foreign ideas and constantly sorting out traditional Chinese studies, the Empire will roughly form a set of its own Thought theory.
¡°Ideology is very important. It guides all behaviors of human society and summarizes all behaviors of human society.
Restorationism is still the most important idea for the Empire, but it is not good enough to meet the Empire's needs to become a world hegemon.
For such a topic, Emperor Song Biao, who in principle should stay out of the political party, was not suitable to talk too much. He turned back to practical issues, pointed to the financial report in Chen Jin's hand, and ordered: : "After I return, I will have a more in-depth joint discussion between the cabinet and the military. My opinion is very simple. Should we make adjustments in the past two years, or take a break to lay a solid foundation for the Seventh Five-Year Plan? Now, taking into account various situations From this point of view, our country should seek to transcend the restrictions of various regional disputes and ensure a better opportunity to review new developments in the entire international world. I think, simply put, we need to sit on the sidelines rather than pursue more radical policies. To ensure that the central government and the military have enough time to deal with more difficult challenges."
"Yes."
Chen Jin agreed, he already understood the emperor's intention.
At this stage, we need to resolve the problem through negotiations with the UK, and we just need to strive for better conditions as much as possible.
The emperor¡¯s meaning is very simple. Attacking Britain is a good choice, but it is not the best choice or the most effective choice.The best choice that benefits the Chinese nation.
In the eyes of many people, the war between China and Britain is about to break out. Many battleships of the British Navy are passing through the Suez Canal and are about to arrive in the Indian Ocean. The main fleet of the Chinese Navy has also left the Bandar Seri Begawan Naval Base. If both sides go at full speed Speed ??up the voyage, and a decisive maritime battle between China and Britain may break out in the waters of the Andaman Islands within 7 days.
This will likely be a battle for ocean dominance that will determine the next century. The winner will dominate the world¡¯s oceans in the second half of the 20th century.
The report submitted by Chen Jin made it clear to Emperor Song Biao that the financial situation of the empire was very clear. It would be inappropriate for a full-scale war to break out between China and Britain, but that does not mean that it would be more in the interests of the empire to sit down and negotiate immediately.
After Chen Jin left, Song Biao called the Central Military Headquarters directly and asked Minister of National Defense Chen Houfu and Chief of General Staff Jiang Fangzhen to come to him overnight to discuss a more appropriate countermeasure.
Half an hour later, Chen Houfu and Jiang Fangzhen arrived one after another, and they reported the current situation to the emperor.
Before New Year's Day, the General Staff had drafted three combat plans and reported them to the Song Emperor. The first was to focus on the navy and air force and fight a quick decisive battle at the outlet of the Persian Gulf in the Indian Ocean; the second was to focus on the army. , quickly annihilate the British colonial troops in Pakistan and India; third, drag the battlefield back to Southeast Asia, and eliminate the British colonial troops and the Channel Fleet in Malaya in Southeast Asia.
The situation is extremely favorable to China. No matter which combat plan is chosen, the Imperial Defense Forces are absolutely sure to annihilate the British army, or even attack at the same time to completely wipe out the British military power in Asia, but this will take a certain amount of time, and To face more complex situations.
The second aspect that Song Biao approved at that time was the formation of the Tenth Army and the southward movement of the Eighth Army. At present, Xue Yue's Southern Allied Forces have made most of the preparations and can attack the British troops stationed in South Asia at any time. The colonial army launched a general offensive.
Before Song Biao went to Vladivostok for vacation, he approved the first plan of the military department, agreeing that the main force of the navy would enter the Indian Ocean at the right time and carry out a decisive battle with the British navy in the Indian Ocean. This was actually the request of the Central Military Department to the Indian Ocean Asian Alliance Naval Command. The reason for the severe counterattack against the British army.
The military definitely wanted to fight, especially the upper-level officials of the Navy, who were already crazy about wanting a decisive battle with the British Navy. Fortunately, Lieutenant General Chen Yawu, the commander of the Indian Ocean Asian Alliance Naval Command, risked going to a military court and came to the Execution Center The military headquarters' order was compromised and the "severe counterattack" was adjusted to a "limited counterattack" so that China and Britain would not immediately enter a war situation.
The current situation is obvious. As long as there is a decisive battle in Asia, whether in Southeast Asia or South Asia, the Imperial Central Defense Force has an absolute advantage over the British army.
When the Emperor of the Song Dynasty summoned the two men, Jiang Fangzhen was busy preparing for the decisive battle at the military headquarters, and various preparatory battle plans had been distributed to various frontline headquarters. Chen Houfu was busy communicating with members of Congress and the central cabinet. Affirming the necessity of this war, we demand continued absolute support from the Cabinet and Congress.
After arriving at the General Office of the Central Palace, the two of them reported on the current situation. According to the intelligence from the Central Military Intelligence Department and the Central Intelligence Agency, the British organized many battleships of the Mediterranean Fleet into a new Far East Fleet, with three battleships. and two aircraft carriers as capital ships, sailed through the Suez Canal around 6 o'clock this evening. Since France remains neutral, it is impossible for the fleet to dock in Djibouti. It is expected to arrive at the Berbera port in Somalia at noon tomorrow to suspend, or it is possible A direct attack on the empire's naval base in the Gulf of Aden is very unlikely.
The Sixth Fleet of the Imperial Navy is stationed in the Gulf of Aden. Due to its low strength, it has currently evacuated to the Imperial Navy¡¯s Anzinana military port in North Madagascar to avoid the British Navy.
Song Biao had been listening silently to Jiang Fangzhen's battle report. For Jiang Fangzhen and Chen Houfu, even if they were not fanatical war factions, they firmly concluded that the empire must defeat Britain and bring all of Asia under the empire's control. Lay a stronger foundation for the decisive battle with Germany in the future.
After Jiang Fangzhen finished his report, Song Biao asked him and Chen Houfu: "What do you think the winning rate is for this battle?"
Jiang Fangzhen thought for a moment and simply replied: "We are unlikely to fail."
Chen Houfu said: "It is true. As long as we focus on fighting this war, Britain will lose miserably."
Song Biao just nodded slightly. He did not want to be the only opponent. As a king, he should not oppose his subordinates' decision. Before summoning them, Song Biao was really determined to temporarily stop this war. Now he I was a little hesitant, after all, the Empire could not be defeated.
After carefully weighing the pros and cons, Song Biao asked Jiang Fangzhen: "Is it possible to engage in a medium-sized but extremely fast battle, and then continue to demand that Britain accept peace talks?"
Jiang Fangzhen thought for a moment and replied: "The British Navy's main fleet can be said to be heading south this time. Once it is annihilated, Britain will basically lose all bargaining chips. Therefore, annihilating the main force of its Far East Fleet is the best strategy. We can generally adopt two strategies. , one is to warn the main force of the British navy to withdraw from the Indian Ocean, not to take the initiative to provoke, and not to cause a serious confrontation between the Chinese and British navies in the Indian Ocean. Otherwise, the empire will formally declare war; second, to warn the British colonial troops stationed in Pakistan to withdraw. In view of the British International status, they are unlikely to evacuate the colonial army, but if we warn its navy, Britain may consider withdrawing its navy. On this basis, there is the possibility of peace talks between China and Britain, but if a war has already begun, unless in the first place The main force of its navy and army would be annihilated, otherwise Britain would be unlikely to accept peace talks. Then, the final armistice negotiations are most likely to be Britain's defeat negotiations."
Song Biao still agreed with this judgment.
After thinking for a moment, Song Biao and Jiang Fangzhen ordered: "Adopt the first strategy, warn the main force of the British navy to withdraw, and negotiate if they withdraw. If they don't withdraw, they will start a war. The situation is definitely very favorable to us. As long as we are willing to negotiate to solve the problem, The UK cannot be completely indifferent. So far, our attitude has been made very clear. Now it depends on whether the UK can accept our conditions."
Jiang Fangzhen nodded in agreement and continued to ask: "If Britain does not accept our conditions, will it immediately go to war?"
Song Biao replied: "Yes."
From the perspective of the long-term interests of the country, it is definitely most beneficial to not go to war with Britain, because Britain's decline is a destined trend, and it is not worth the empire spending too many resources on this. If these expenses are saved, the empire will be better. to deal with long-term threats from Germany and the United States.
The only strategy to deal with Nazi Germany was war.
The best strategy to deal with the United States is to rely on education, science and technology and overall national policies, as well as the empire's special status in Asia and the world, to implement long-term suppression of the United States through long-term competition in international free trade and competition in international diplomatic affairs. and containment.
No matter what kind of war and competition it is, the total amount of assets reserved by the central government of the empire must be as large as possible.
But in a country with democratic decision-making, all choices cannot only consider long-term national interests. Short- and medium-term national interests are more important. Under today's circumstances, if the empire cannot force Britain to make major concessions, it will be the empire's fault. Shame and the failure of the Central Cabinet and the Central Military Department.
Faced with the same question from Finance Minister Chen Jin and Chief of General Staff of the Central Military Department Jiang Fangzhen, Emperor Song Biao could only give two different answers. The former answer was what he thought was the best choice, while the latter answer was the last. Realistic decisions.
Since he decided to adopt the strategy of warning first, he must seize the time. That night, Emperor Song Biao, together with Jiang Fangzhen and Chen Houfu, drafted the statement to announce the British announcement, and after considering the wording, they notified it to the Prime Minister Gu Weijun. Chen Houfu then formally notified the British Minister in China at 9 a.m. the next day on behalf of the Ministry of National Defense of the Central Cabinet.
The power of the Imperial Central Military Department is to direct war, not to initiate war. The formal declaration of war and the corresponding warning itself should be announced by the central cabinet. According to the imperial constitution, this situation has two different correspondences. One is that during peacetime, the central government Only the government has the right to declare war on foreign countries; second, during war, as long as the central government declares war on foreign countries, the Central Military Commission for National Defense will become the highest military institution.
Now, the Sino-Soviet War and the Sino-Japanese War are not over yet. The Central Military Commission for National Defense is still the highest military authority of the empire. Therefore, Emperor Song Biao¡¯s decision to act as chairman of the Central Military Commission for National Defense does not violate the constitution. place.
this point is very important.
This means that the central government and Prime Minister Gu Weijun have no right to interfere with the emperor's decision-making on this matter. Of course, one day, the emperor will no longer serve as the chairman of the Central Defense Forces Committee, and this position will be started by a certain cabinet prime minister. It was formally determined through the constitution that the imperial prime minister would concurrently serve.
The current Chinese Empire is still at a special stage constitutionally.
As the chairman of the Central Military Commission for National Defense and the supreme military commander of the Central Defense Forces and the Army, Navy and Air Force, the Song Emperor still controlled all military power behind the scenes. Of course, power always succumbs to reality.
For the Song Emperor, he could make the empire declare war on Britain, but it would be difficult to prevent the empire from declaring war on Britain unless Britain made major concessions in accordance with the empire's requirements to meet the needs of the empire.
This is the reality of the world of human power.
At this point, the Song Emperor is very similar to his opponent, the Japanese Emperor Showa. (To be continued. Please search Piaotian Literature, the novels will be better and updated faster!)