When major European newspapers learned that the German government had announced something important, they all rushed to the press conference excitedly. Recently, newspapers across Europe had their pages wiped out by Germany and Czechoslovakia. Now the German government must respond to this matter.
A tall and thin man walked to the podium. He was wearing a yellow suit, but he was Joseph Goebbels, the propaganda minister who was extremely loyal to Hitler. Goebbels cleared his throat and raised his hands to the reporters below.
A Nazi salute.
Immediately, the people below were divided into two categories. One group responded with Nazi salutes with fanaticism in their eyes, while the other group looked at the Germans around them with helplessness, disdain and a hint of envy.
"Minister Goebbels, I wonder what the purpose of this press conference is? Is it to explain the recent rumors that your country wants to annex Czechoslovakia?" a reporter asked first.
Goebbels shook his head and said, "This is not the theme of our press conference this time, but since you asked, I will say a few words. We in Germany only hope that the German nation can live in peace and freedom. The Sudetenland's anti-people atrocities and history
Our origins determine that we in Germany should support the people there to get the freedom they deserve. As for other areas, we in Germany are not interested. We are not interested now, and we will not be in the future. We in Germany are still very weak, and what we want more now is to ensure our own
Survive."
At that moment, a female reporter stood up and said, "Hello, I am a reporter from The Times. You said that Germany is still very weak, but as far as I know, your country now has more than one million regular troops. Such troops are not available anymore."
The whole world is worth counting, so I’m afraid it’s inappropriate to say that you are weak.”
Goebbels smiled slightly and waved, and several soldiers handed out a bunch of small notebooks.
Goebbels said, "This is the theme of our press conference - the White Paper on Soviet Military Power."
One stone stirred up a thousand waves. The Soviet Union, that country behind the Iron Curtain, that extremely mysterious red country, that shadow over the whole of Europe, now Germany actually wants to release a white paper on their military power. This news is enough to make them think
The front page has been on fire for several days.
Goebbels continued, "Based on the testimonies of people who escaped from the Soviet Union, data published by the Soviet Union itself, the Soviet Union's industrial output in recent years, and some of our secret intelligence sources, we have obtained details of the Soviet Union's current military strength. You can open it to see
At a glance, what we have determined is that the Soviet Union currently has a navy of 400,000, an air force of 500,000, an army of 3 million, and a reserve force of 4 million. It has over 10,000 tanks of various types, over 10,000 aircraft, and 30,000 artillery pieces.”
"Wow!" Everyone screamed in horror, and some even dropped their pens to the ground. Although they expected that the Soviet Union's military power would not be weak, they never expected that it would be so strong.
Regardless of the reaction below, Goebbels continued, "Our purpose in issuing this white paper is very simple, which is to hope that the Soviet Union will stop the expansion of its military power, ease tensions with surrounding countries, and stop unhealthy military competition."
No one cares what Goebbels is talking about now. Those reporters who flipped through the white paper found that it contained not only the numbers just mentioned, but also a large amount of military intelligence, such as the performance and weaknesses of some Soviet military equipment. They all believed what Goebbels said.
It must be true, so I hurriedly ran out to send a message to my newspaper, and the whole of Europe suddenly changed from the German threat theory to the Soviet threat theory.
"I didn't expect the Soviets to have so many troops. Don't they have to do anything else?" In a coffee shop, a British gentleman said while stroking his beard and reading the newspaper.
"It is said that Stalin has a machine that can produce troops. Who knows what cruel experiments those red demons have done." Another gentleman chuckled.
"The threat from the Soviet Union is much greater than that from Germany. I think it would be better for Germany to be stronger, so that it can contain the Soviet Union. Looking at the white paper released by Germany this time, we can see that the Soviet Union and Germany are simply incompatible.
." The first gentleman thought for a moment and said, "Jim, aren't you a member of Parliament? I think we should make a statement. The Soviet Union is the biggest threat to us in Europe."
Another gentleman nodded in agreement and said, "What you said makes sense. I think there will be no problem as long as the Soviet Union and Germany are hostile. Is this the continental balance we have always demanded?"
a cafe
Benes was wearing a black coat. He opened the door nervously and walked in. It was still a hot weather in September. Seeing Benes who was sweating profusely, Jiang Cheng couldn't help laughing and said, "Mr. Benes, put on your clothes."
Take it off, we are all our own people here, are you afraid of assassination or something else?"
With a livid face, Benes threw away his clothes and said, "Did you know? I have already escaped three assassinations. Hitler is crazy. He thinks I will give in."
Jiang Cheng took out a cigarette and threw it to Benes and said, "How about it? Do you have any ideas about the proposal I mentioned? You should have felt it. Since Hitler released the White Paper on Soviet Military Power, Britain and France have already made plans to strengthen Germany in order to contain the Soviet Union.
"The tragedy of Czechoslovakia has become a foregone conclusion. As a leader, haven't you realized it yet?"
Benes gritted his teeth tightly, and even the fingernails of his hands were bleeding. Of course Benes was aware of the change in the situation. Britain and France had even sent a note, hoping that he would carefully consider the Sudetenland issue.
Outsiders were insinuating that the Soviet Union was a threat and that Germany only needed the Sudetenland.
That’s it? Sudetenland is my territory in Czechoslovakia. If I cede Sudetenland today, who knows if I will still be in Prague tomorrow?
Benes slowly let go and said, "I will sign a contract with your group. You can write down whatever you need, but don't forget my requirements."
Jiang Cheng smiled and said, "I only want people and machines, and I can leave all the weapons and money to you personally. We in China have a saying, if you raise the recruiting flag, you will have your own food eaters. Once Germany annexes Czechoslovakia, the second time
The European War is just around the corner. Hitler's ambitions cannot be filled by small Czechoslovakia. There are two big powers, the Soviet Union and the United States, watching the show. At that time, you only need to raise the banner of restoring Czechoslovakia and add you
The connections and weapons, the restoration of the country, Yi Ye."
Benes nodded firmly and said, "Then don't waste time, let's get started."
Jiang Cheng waved, and Chen Nan took out a large box of documents and placed them on the seat one by one. Benes took out a pen and began to sign his name.
——Yichang
Anti-Japanese war is a protracted war. This view has gradually been recognized by the people. There are three most important things in a protracted war - food, weapons, and troop sources.
China is not short of people, and it still has two lakes. China in Sichuan is not short of food. What China lacks most is weapons. Before the war, there was only one Chengdu Arsenal in Sichuan as the rear area, and the output here could not even support the original Sichuan Army.
, not to mention that at this time there were more than three million national troops in the country.
Wuhan was a material concentration center at this time. How to move these vital materials to the rear became a big problem. Wuhan was connected to Chongqing by the Sichuan River. By shipping, it would take a week to go back and forth, but there was no time left for the National Army.
too much.
Chen Cheng, as one of Chiang Kai-shek's most trusted people, was assigned the important position of commander-in-chief of the retreat at this critical moment. However, the person standing next to him at this time was a businessman - Lu Zuofu.
Lu Zuofu, a native of Chongqing, founded Minsheng Company, one of the largest and most influential private enterprise groups in modern China. In 1935, it had 42 ships with a tonnage of 16,884 tons and an output of 7.3 million yuan. It operated the Sichuan and River shipping business.
61%.
There is a reason for Lu Zuofu's success. He started from scratch, but he is good at uniting the people around him. His company's dividends are not based on position like other companies, but are ranked fifth based on performance. The most basic clerks, sailors to
The general manager will receive equal dividends for the same performance. Lu Zuofu was rated as first-level, and he received the same 49 yuan as a first-level waiter. Zhang Qun, a Sichuan fellow and the leader of the White Party, said that he is: a scholar with no formal education, and a person with no personality.
Enjoy the pursuit of the modern entrepreneur, a tycoon with no money.
Due to the needs of the war, most of the ships controlled by the National Government were supporting frontline operations, and a large number of ships were scuttled to stop the enemy. Lu Zuofu also had a large number of ships pulled to Tianjia Town to scuttle. At this time, he only had less than 30 ships.
, but it has also become the most important shipping force.
As the commander-in-chief of the retreat, Chen Cheng actually has two options. One is to collect all the ships on the Yangtze River for military management. This is also the most common method, and then conduct unified command. The advantage of this method is that it can control a large number of ships, but the disadvantages are also extremely obvious.
After all, Chen Cheng and other soldiers are not as proficient in transportation work as the shipping company. It is easy for the so-called layman to lead the expert, resulting in a ship that cannot be used even if it is available.
The second is to abandon unified military management and let several private companies take charge. The military will provide control and guidance, because they know the Yangtze River shipping best and are the real experts on the front line.
Chen Cheng thought about it and decided to take the risk of taking the second route. This was also the lesson Nanjing taught him that shipping matters still need to be done by experts. Chen Cheng strongly invited Lu Zuofu to be the leader of the retreat, and even asked Chiang Kai-shek for help.
He asked for the position of deputy secretary of the Ministry of Transportation so that he could direct it.
"Mr. Chen, the only way is to transport the materials in sections. It is impossible to transport the supplies directly to Chongqing at once." Lu Zuofu said with his eyes full of red bloodshot eyes.
"Oh? Can you tell me about the segmented transportation method?" Chen Cheng asked immediately.
"It is divided into three sections. As you know, the draft of our Yangtze River is different. The most terrible thing is the Three Gorges. Hundreds of people are killed every year, and many ships cannot cross the Three Gorges. I think this way, we are the first to do so.
Lu Qiyong transported all the personnel and materials to Yichang. Yichang is only 500 kilometers away from Wuhan by water. Moreover, this section of the waterway is relatively easy to travel. With Yueyang as the support, safety is guaranteed. Even if Wuhan falls, I think we will reach Yichang.
It will take a while, and we will have time to move to Sichuan then. Then we will start with the Three Gorges as a point and then continue to the hinterland of Sichuan." Lu Zuofu pointed at the map and said.
Chen Cheng calculated it and said, "We have 500,000 people in Wuhan who need to be relocated. We also have a lot of supplies. I estimate that these supplies will cost two to three million tons. Are you sure?"
Lu Zuofu shook his head and said, "I can't say for certain, just do your best. We have now collected more than 900 large wooden boats and 2,000 small wooden boats. I have a few suggestions, and I hope that Mr. Chen will support them."
Chen Cheng immediately said, "Of course I support it, just say it."
Lu Zuofu thought for a while and said, "First, in order to increase our transportation capacity, no matter whether rich or poor, no matter how high or low, all tickets will be seat tickets. The sleeper berths will be cancelled. In fact, it will be seat tickets. For our ship, we can board as many as we can, and no special arrangements can be made.
At best, we can dedicate a few ships to transport the elites of society."
Chen Cheng nodded and said, "Okay, if anyone has any objections, just ask them to come to me."
Lu Zuofu continued, "Second, transportation must be in order. In terms of personnel, children come first, social elites come second, women come next, civilians come third, and soldiers last. In terms of materials, important production materials, scientific research equipment and cultural relics come first, and military industry
Equipment second, other heavy industrial equipment third, light industry third, and other materials last.”
Chen Cheng couldn't help frowning when he heard this, but looking at Lu Zuofu with a firm look on his face, he nodded and said, "Okay, I'll listen to you."
Lu Zuofu clapped his fingers and said, "Third, our army has no air superiority. The Japanese army will definitely block it with air attacks. I need air cover or a large number of anti-aircraft guns. And among the transportation, the most time-consuming thing is unloading. I need at least five thousand workers."
To do this job, it’s best to have experience.”
Chen Cheng replied, "The committee has already said that all air defense forces are mainly for transportation. Except for the basic forces supporting the front line, they cannot be moved. Now even the anti-aircraft guns next to the committee's office building have been unloaded for your use."
Lu Zuofu then clenched his fist and said, "I, Lu Zuofu, will definitely complete the mission and not destroy the hope of our nation."
——Wuhan Pier
The first boat set off, and it was full of children. They were children from orphanages and various schools. He only saw them waving their thin hands, and Lu Zuofu's heart calmed down.
It can be done, it can be done, and these materials can be safely transported to the rear! Lu Zuofu kept encouraging himself.
The large-scale transportation has begun. All the workers are shouting numbers to carry the materials onto the ship. The materials are marked with various steps to determine the order. People buy tickets one by one to board the ship, but the price is only symbolic.
A little bit, if it is a child, they can board the boat for free. Lu Zuofu wore the same clothes as the employees and got busy on the dock.
"Auntie, you can't bring these with you. If you bring these tables and chairs, you'll have to take one less person with you."
"Sir, just keep these books at home. You can take away a child with these boxes of books."
"Don't be chaotic, don't be chaotic, follow order, the devils are still far away from us, don't be anxious."
"Don't get on again, be careful of the boat capsizing, don't be greedy for too much, leave, leave immediately, and come back quickly is the right thing to do."
The real difficulty on the dock is communication. Even at this time, there are countless people who are eager to carry their houses on their backs. Seeing that some people even carry vases with them, Lu Zuofu can't help but smile bitterly. He can only persuade, and finally
They simply ordered everyone to bring only the limited weight, and threw any excess items into the water. For a while, there was another burst of crying, but many more people got on the boat.
