Zhou Hexuan's speech and the king's inspection of the old city were published in major British newspapers at the same time. George VI was the headline, and Zhou Hexuan was relegated to the third page.
Both the content of the speech and "March of the Volunteers" were greatly praised, especially Zhou Hexuan's comparison between China and Britain, and Chongqing and London, which made the British feel an inexplicable affinity for China. Perhaps it should be called sympathy for China.
As we said before, more than 80% of the British cabinet members were not in favor of compromise with Japan. This time, more than ten newspapers immediately took advantage of the situation and wrote articles from various aspects of emotion and situation, imploring the British government to open the Burma Highway as soon as possible.
The entire Indian Affairs Ministry jumped out and shouted to help China every day. The reason behind it is simply that Asian colonies, including India, affect the interests of too many British masters.
Churchill was under a lot of pressure. He was collectively forced to abdicate by the cabinet, but he still refused to let go.
Both Britain and the United States are stalling for time, as long as they can delay it. Even the missions sent to China use "delay" as the purpose of negotiation. Churchill naturally wants to delay until the United States intervenes, while Roosevelt wants to delay until he can be successfully re-elected as president, so
Lao Jiang found that all kinds of benefits were right in front of him but he couldn't take them.
Finally, the Japanese sent big gifts one after another.
On September 23, Japan obtained permission from the French puppet government and sent its troops into Vietnam, taking the first step to annex Southeast Asia. The United States and Britain were extremely nervous about this and immediately accelerated negotiations with China. Churchill expressed his concern for the reopening of Yunnan.
Burma Highway's attitude has also relaxed somewhat.
On September 27, Germany and Italy accepted Japan's admission to the Axis Powers and signed the "Three Powers Pact", officially forming the Berlin-Rome-Tokyo Axis.
On September 28, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs used the British use of the Burma Road to assist China as an excuse to condemn the British armed forces in Singapore as a threat to the peace of the Far East and demanded that all British troops withdraw from the Pacific and Southeast Asia. If the British refused, Japan would launch a war.
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Faced with Japan's inexplicable war threat, Churchill was completely confused. This was not acting according to common sense!
Churchill was so furious that he immediately asked Ambassador Losian to the United States to inquire about the United States' attitude. U.S. Secretary of State Hull replied: "The United States has always supported China's War of Resistance Against Japan and is considering increasing the scope of the material embargo against Japan and continuing to oppose Japan's aggression.
action, and at the same time strongly hopes that the Burma Road will be reopened. Once there is a conflict between Britain and Japan, the United States will use all possible means, especially economic means, to support Britain."
Well, America’s dads have taken a stand, so what else is there to say?
On September 30, the British War Cabinet passed a resolution: the Burma Road would be reopened. On October 1, Churchill officially announced the resolution and also notified China, the United States and Japan.
The Yunnan-Burma Highway was reopened 17 days earlier than in history.
Although it only lasted half a month, it reflected many situations, that is, the British and the United States paid more attention to the Chinese battlefield because they were frightened by Chiang Kai-shek's fake surrender. If Zhou Hexuan did not play that trick, Churchill would definitely drag it to three
The one-month contract expires because there is only more than half a month left before the deadline.
…
London.
There were cheers in the Chinese Embassy in the UK. For the diplomats, it was nothing less than a big victory.
Guo Taiqi put on a newly custom-made gorgeous dress, his hair was combed to a shiny finish, and he held his civilized staff and said, "Gentlemen, how about going to watch a stage play tonight?"
"Let's go together, let's go together, we should have a good celebration." Wang Rizhang laughed.
Zhou Hexuan said: "It's better not to run around. German planes like to attack at night recently. I don't want to eat bombs at night."
Wang Rizhang suddenly asked: "Mr. Zhou, it's time for you to confess now. Did you have any plan from the beginning?"
Ma Jue also said: "Yes, you have never been worried."
Zhou Hexuan smiled and said: "President Chiang is pretending to surrender, just to show the big powers."
"As expected, I told him that there is no way the commander-in-chief will surrender!" Ju Yiqiao said happily. He recovered from his injuries and was discharged from the hospital last month.
Guo Taiqi said with a smile: "Japan is really unpopular. They can't even eat China, and they actually ordered the British army to withdraw from the Pacific and Southeast Asia. Now it looks good. Britain and Japan will inevitably go to war. It's just a matter of time."
Ma Jue said with admiration: "Mr. Zhou had expected it a long time ago. I remember in "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword", he said that Japan was destined to go south and would also have conflicts with Britain, the United States and other countries."
Wang Rizhang said with emotion: "Yes, Mr. Zhou knows things well and his situation deductions are never missed."
Guo Taiqi asked: "Brother Mingcheng, when do you think Britain and Japan will officially go to war?"
Zhou Hexuan said: "It will definitely not happen in the short term. Neither country is ready for war yet. But since Japan has stationed troops in Vietnam, the next step is to occupy the entire Vietnam."
Wang Rizhang said in surprise: "Didn't Japan get the consent of the French puppet government to station troops in Vietnam peacefully? Does Japan still want to conquer Vietnam by force?"
Zhou Hexuan smiled and said: "The fighting has already started. Just a few hours after Japan signed an agreement with the Vietnamese colonial government, it blatantly violated the agreement and started a fierce battle with the French colonial army. When Vietnam is completely occupied, Japan will inevitably attack the Dutch East Indies (
Indonesian Islands). Although the Netherlands has been occupied by Germany, the Dutch government is in exile in the United Kingdom and still controls the Far East colonies. The Dutch East Indies are weak in military strength and have many resources. Japan attacks there with the excuse of helping its ally Germany. It is simply a big island.
They will never let go of the fat sheep."
Ma Jue wondered: "Mr. Zhou, the US government should be able to see these movements of the Japanese army, right?"
Zhou Hexuan nodded and said: "It can definitely be seen, but Roosevelt is busy with the election and cannot take serious action against Japan for the time being. I estimate that when Japan completely occupies Vietnam, the U.S. presidential election will be over. By then, Roosevelt will definitely take action against Japan.
Implement tougher economic and trade sanctions, and the difficulties faced by China will be much easier."
Guo Taiqi sighed: "I hope so."
At this moment, the embassy staff suddenly came over with a telegram: "Mr. Zhou, a telegram was sent from Oxford University, hoping to grant you a doctorate in philosophy and invite you to be an honorary professor at the university."
Guo Taiqi smiled and said: "Dr. Zhou, congratulations!"
Oxford University really likes to play this trick. Guo Taiqi was also awarded a Doctor of Laws by Oxford University two years ago, and now it is Zhou Hexuan's turn. As for the "Doctor of Philosophy", this thing is a panacea in the West, and in principle it can be awarded in any discipline.
of doctoral graduates.
Anyway, the diplomatic mission was completed, and Zhou Hexuan happily agreed to go to Oxford. On the way, he could also visit Turing, the man who took a bite out of the apple.
Although Jobs denied that the Apple logo was because of Turing, the legend is still beautiful.