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Leap, a stroke of genius that shakes the world Chapter 124: Losing money is not a loss of heart

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    Chapter 124 Losing money is not losing heart January 31, 1943, the last day of the United States¡¯ ultimatum to Italy. Rome continued to have sunny weather for several days, while Washington was under the shroud of rain.  Faced with the choice of declaring war or compromising, two leaders with ultimate status in their respective countries invariably chose to stay in their offices.  As a result, almost the whole world's attention was focused on the White House in Washington and the Palazzo Venezia in Rome, hoping to obtain key information that affects the course of history as soon as possible.  Of course, many media reporters gathered outside the German Chancellery on this day. People with different positions are waiting to see whether this European power, which has strong military power and strives to play a more important role on the international stage, will really stay out of the matter.  During normal working hours in the morning, Rogan, who serves as the prime minister of the government cabinet, did convene a meeting with his ministers, but the main topic of the day was not directly related to the changing international situation.  Because by this time, Germany's military and political leaders had completed secret talks with special envoys sent by the United States and Italy, and a series of secret agreements and memorandums were signed accordingly.  With such sufficient preparation, they do not need to look forward and backward or waver at this last moment, but are determined to sit back and watch the fight between tigers and tigers.  "Although the size of the army has been reduced by two-thirds on schedule, our total military expenditure from April 1 last year to now has still reached 92.2 billion Reichsmarks, an increase from the data in the first 10 months of the previous fiscal year.  Sixty-seven percent, which is mainly a one-time allowance for veterans, war pensions for disabled people and those who died in action." Finance Minister Count Krosik, a unique "four-dynasty veteran" since the Third Reich, said on one side  He scanned the report documents in front of him with his small eyes hidden behind his lenses, while reporting the national financial situation to the cabinet in a calm and slow tone - considering that the German government's fiscal year is from April 1st of each year to the end of March of the following year.  , there are still two months to wrap up.  ¡°Government expenditures other than military expenditures amounted to 41.7 billion Reichsmarks, an increase of 30% from the first 10 months of the previous year, mainly due to the increase in government subsidies for enterprise reform and government interest subsidies for veterans¡¯ investment in businesses.  Taken together, it is estimated that our total government expenditures will reach 150 billion Reichsmarks in fiscal year 1942-1943. Compared with the projected total revenue of 92 billion Reichsmarks, the deficit is likely to reach 58 billion Reichsmarks." In purely numerical terms, this year  The government deficit has exceeded the total government deficit of the German government in the six years from 1933 to 1939, and Germany at that time was also carrying out large-scale construction and military preparations - considering that in early 1943, the Reichsmark still maintained a 2.5 to 1 ratio to the US dollar.  exchange rate, the scale of this deficit is staggering. After the consumption of the war, the country's financial situation seems to be very pessimistic, but most of the cabinet members here, especially the two prime ministers, are on stable ground.  Sitting in his seat, listening to the Finance Minister use his professional words to estimate the economic and fiscal situation in the next stage.  "Taking into account a series of strategic adjustments in military, industrial, economic and social aspects, there are great variables in the balance of payments in the next fiscal year. Based on the bulk export agreements that have been signed so far, we believe that the arms-related industry will continue to expand in the second half of this year.  Profitability will increase significantly, and the sale of excess military equipment will provide the government with a large amount of hard currency. If military expenditures can continue to be reduced as planned, the balance of payments is expected to be balanced in the next fiscal year - at least  "Significantly reduce the size of the deficit" "If military expenditures continue to be reduced" - the Finance Minister left enough room for maneuver in his official forecast. This not only reflects the huge uncertainty of the international situation, but also illustrates the great power mentality of a considerable number of Germans. They have unprecedented  Inflated self-esteem and self-confidence have greatly raised their horizons, even higher than the country's actual capabilities.  There is no doubt that Germany has made great progress in military technology and combat experience after long-term operations on the Western and Eastern Fronts. However, what many people do not know or are unwilling to admit is that Germany's wartime economy has  It is quite bad. The government is burdened with heavy debts, including foreign debts and national debts. It can only rely on the economic plunder of the occupied areas and the collection of high occupation fees, coupled with the continuous expansion of foreign arms exports, to maintain government expenditures and domestic  economic and financial operations.  The count finished his speech, and Speer immediately said: "From the perspective of the ordinary laws of economic development, it is not only very difficult to eliminate the government deficit in the short term, but it may also do more harm than good to the country's overall economic situation. We should  Make full use of the current external environment, find ways to restore and expand the scale of the economy, and improve the competitiveness of the non-arms industry. Although we are not 100% sure at the momentif we finally win the US government's installment shipbuilding order totaling 60 to 70 billion US dollars,  The economic benefits brought by shipbuilding and related industries will be considerable, and may even bring prosperity to our shipbuilding industry and coastal ports for decades, and bring considerable revenue to the government every year, which is even more desirable.  ?"We will truly take the historic step from land to sea." "The blueprint drawn by Speer is certainly wonderful, but the people sitting here are cabinet members who have experienced ups and downs. They are full of national spirit and national spirit."  Doctrine is just a habit of looking at everything calmly and rationally. When the lingering sound of the Vice Premier's last words still echoed in the conference room, they all held their chests out expressionlessly, each trying to figure out the deep meaning behind the words.  , the international situation has been changing, and it has also had a considerable impact on Germany's domestic politics. The most sensational and controversial thing is the visit of the German Chancellor to the United States and the deepening of the strategic cooperative relationship between the two countries, which basically means the axis.  Historically speaking, Italy and Japan are not Germany's traditional allies. Even so, many people still question and even resist the development of German-American relations. In their view, dominating Europe and gaining far-reaching benefits.  Beyond the overseas colonies of the Second Empire, Germany is entering an unprecedented dream era. Such a powerful country does not need to lower its stature to negotiate peace with other countries - as Adolf Hitler once described for them, it should become supreme.  "World Leaders" The debate about Germany's grand strategy may be too far away for civilians, but what makes them more curious and concerned is another incident related to high-level officials, or "National Gift Gate". After the New Year, Prime Minister Ronaldo.  Gen, Vice Chancellor Speer, Defense Minister Raeder and Foreign Minister von Neurath took the lead in donating gifts privately given by foreign governments to domestic museums or memorials, including many exquisite and expensive craft treasures and valuable works.  Later, a large number of high-ranking military and political officials also donated the foreign gifts they received that year or over the years in various ways. Although most people did not disclose the specific source of the gifts, people can still tell them through their shapes and styles.  Manufacturing process, etc. speculated on its "parental identity", Italy has unsurprisingly become the number one contributor to the German art world. Under public opinion, the self-righteous Italian government has been severely punished for using the collections of public museums to honor foreign dignitaries.  , such behavior also aroused criticism in Italy. For the German military and political leaders, the loss of personal interests caused by this action is negligible. What is important is that they have gained a good reputation among the people for being fair and honest.  It indirectly led to the final approval of the secret agreement with the United States by the German cabinet at a critical moment. You must know that before this, many ministerial officials had raised objections to Germany's pro-American policy. Afterwards, although some people still avoided the gift from Italy.  Regardless of the discussion, they still voted in favor or abstained from the vote knowingly that they were in the wrong. ¡°The positive impact of shipping and arms trade is indeed foreseeable. Although we cannot make accurate estimates, we are arranging government revenue and expenditure.  I will try my best to take it into consideration when I receive the gift.¡± The Finance Minister¡¯s answer was very quick and timely. Perhaps out of personal considerations, perhaps to leave some favor to the gift giver, he did not announce the donation¡ªnor did he comment on the Italian gift.  No statement has been made, but there are also rumors that he anonymously donated a collection of precious antiques.  The earl had welcomed the wartime "cash and carry" policy from the beginning. After all, in countries with poor financial conditions, such as Italy, buying on credit may lead to long-term inability to collect payment, and may even turn into a political transaction.  chips, which would be of no benefit to Germany, which consumed a lot of money in the war.  "Okay, let's stop the annual financial discussion here for the time being," Logan, who was sitting in the upper seat, said, "The president called me to have a long talk last night. Thanks to your efforts, our work since the New Year has been achieved.  It has received the president's approval, especially regarding the stance on the conflict between Italy and the United States. One thing that can be determined is that we will make peace building our top priority for a long time to come. Of course, military investment is not only not enough.  It will be reduced, and will be appropriately increased based on the financial situation to ensure that we become a super-class world military power within ten years and form a complete set of protection systems for overseas trade, treaty ports and directly controlled areas." Having said that,  Those cabinet members who have reservations about current strategic decisions due to various considerations can only suppress their brewing rhetoric.  According to the agenda of this cabinet meeting, the ministers then discussed some internal affairs that had nothing to do with the overall situation. Near the end, an adjutant came in and reported to Rogan alone. Immediately afterwards, the Prime Minister stood up and informed everyone: "The Italian Ambassador has transferred to us.  Rome¡¯s decision: After bilateral consultations, they still cannot accept the ultimatum proposed by the United States. If war is inevitable, they will move forward bravely." []
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