Chapter 466

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Protagonist:

Lv Muzhi

The news that former Governor-General of French Indochina General Cartier was coming to Beiping ultimately could not be hidden from the Military Statistics Bureau.

The old man was furious that this French general had bypassed the Central Government to meet Lv Muzhi directly.

Especially since Lv Muzhi had publicly declared his support for Free France, which the old man had not expected at all.

Since the United States, the Soviet Union, and other countries recognized Vichy France, the old man also wanted to recognize Vichy France.

But Lv Muzhi's previous remarks were clearly singing a different tune from him!

You must know that given Lv Muzhi's current prestige, publishing such remarks would cause how great a misunderstanding for other countries!

Another reason the old man wanted to recognize Vichy France was that Free France's power was simply too small; only the United Kingdom and the United Kingdom's dependent states had declared recognition of Free France.

Although Vichy France was a puppet regime, it was produced by the French Parliament election and was legally the legitimate government in law; almost all of France's colonies had declared allegiance to Vichy France.

Whereas Free France could only win more sympathy on moral grounds, instead looking like an 'illegal organization'.

Nowadays, former Governor-General of French Indochina General Cartier announced his resignation from the governor's position, and for the sake of national righteousness, left Vichy France and turned to the Free French Movement.

This matter originally had nothing to do with the old man, but unfortunately he wanted to go see Lv Muzhi, which was a major event!

To prevent General Cartier and Lv Muzhi from conspiring on major matters behind his back, and at the same time to maintain Central Government authority.

The old man hastily dispatched He Yingqin, in the name of 'Central Representative', to participate in their meeting.

As for this, Lv Muzhi did not refuse; being open and aboveboard, he also just happened to use He Yingqin's eyes and mouth to convey his attitude to the old man.

The meeting of Lv Muzhi, General Cartier, and He Yingqin unfolded on a clear afternoon.

Former Governor-General of French Indochina General Cartier looked somewhat haggard; France's rapid defeat had caused this professional soldier enormous mental pressure.

Out of legal principle, French Indochina declared allegiance to the Vichy French Government produced by parliamentary election, even though this government was Hans's puppet.

General Cartier put down the coffee cup in his hand and said somewhat apologetically: "General Lu, General He, as the former Governor-General of Indochina, I must apologize to Xia Guo for my previous cowardly behavior."

"Not long ago, under the coercion of the Japanese Army and the tacit consent of the Vichy Government, I was forced to close the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway and the Guangxi-Vietnam Railway; unfortunately, although I served as Governor-General, my subordinates did not support me in clashing with the Japanese Army."

"They are Xia Guo's lifeline; closing them is equivalent to helping the Japanese strangle your throats."

"As a general of an invaded country, I feel my conscience is on trial every night."

"Now I realize that the true French soul is in London, with General Charles de Gaulle; I have decided to devote myself to the Free French Movement."

"On the way to the United Kingdom, I heard of General Lu's sharp attacks on the Vichy Government and Hans, and I have come specially to Xia Guo to thank General Lu!"

"As fellow invaded countries, I implore Xia Guo to recognize Free France!"

After listening, He Yingqin frowned slightly and looked toward Lv Muzhi.

He Yingqin's strategy for this trip was to bring only ears and eyes, and try not to speak.

After all, last time the old man was scolded by Lv Muzhi until he lost his bearings; He Yingqin did not want to make a fool of himself in front of foreign friends.

Lv Muzhi also did not speak, saying to He Yingqin: "Commissioner He, you represent the Central Government; what is the Central Government's opinion?"

Seeing this, He Yingqin had to speak, putting on an air of strict official business.

"General Cartier, your patriotic fervor is admirable, but diplomacy is extremely serious."

"France has already surrendered to Hans; currently the United States and the Soviet Union both recognize the Vichy Government. It is well known that Vichy France is the legitimate government produced by parliamentary election in law. If we Xia Guo rashly recognize Free France exiled overseas, we will appear very isolated internationally."

He Yingqin's meaning was very clear: the French government had already surrendered; everyone recognized the procedurally legitimate puppet Vichy Government; few recognized Free France exiled abroad; we also could not be the one to stick our necks out.

After listening, Lv Muzhi understood the old man's meaning and made his own response.

"General Cartier, I have three questions; please answer them directly."

"First, regarding the large loan my Youth Army previously borrowed from France, who exactly is the creditor? Is it Free France, or Vichy France?"

"Second, does Free France still advocate absolute sovereignty over French Indochina? How do you view the French Army on the colonial land of Indochina who have defected to the Vichy Government and helped the Japanese Army invade Xia Guo? Are they comrades-in-arms, or Rebel Commanders?"

"Third, if Xia Guo, to safeguard supply lines and national security, must take necessary military action against French Indochina and inevitably kills French Army personnel on the colony, what is Free France's attitude?"

Once these three questions were asked, the atmosphere in the reception hall instantly froze.

He Yingqin's heart thumped wildly; this was playing far too big!

General Cartier was also stunned; he had thought this was a political show of support about justice and sympathy, but unexpectedly Lv Muzhi opened his mouth with naked interest exchange.

He fell into long contemplation; as the Governor-General governing the colony, he quickly understood Lv Muzhi's logic.

The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway and Guangxi-Vietnam Railway were cut off, and the Burma Road was also about to be threatened with closure by the Japanese Army.

Lv Muzhi could not hold back anymore; he wanted to send troops to protect these international material transport channels.

Lv Muzhi needed a reason to send troops, a very sufficient reason, and incidentally to renege on the debt owed to France......

And Free France's support for Xia Guo and Lv Muzhi was exactly the best reason.

"General Lu, you are truly a formidable realist." General Cartier sighed deeply.

"I know the Japanese nature; they are insatiable beasts! The Japanese Army will sooner or later swallow the entire Indochina Peninsula; I even suspect they want all of Southeast Asia."

"As for the French Indochina colony, rather than let it become a jumping-off point for the invaders, it would be better to let it become your army's frontline to withstand aggression."

"As long as Xia Guo publicly recognizes Free France internationally, I can guarantee to you in my capacity as General——"

"We will declare that the loan owed by Xia Guo belongs to Free France, not Vichy France, and as a return to an ally, this debt will be written off in one stroke!"

"As for the colonial troops who defected to the Vichy Government, they are France's Rebel Commanders; if you have the ability, dispose of them as you wish!"

Cartier knew very well that now Free France, apart from Charles de Gaulle's mouth, had almost nothing at all.

What colony, what arrears; the Free French Organization exiled in the United Kingdom simply had no qualification to claim these.

Using things that didn't exist at all to exchange for a great power's recognition—what a bargain!

Letting Xia Guo people and the Japanese Army fight it out on the colonies of the Vichy French Government; Free France simply won big.

Lv Muzhi's mouth finally curved into a satisfied arc.

He Yingqin coughed dryly twice and adjusted his sitting posture.

"Wei Yue, this... this matter is too big, I have to go back and request instructions; the international impact is too complex."

Lv Muzhi stood up: "International impact? Minister He, now the international impact is:"

"The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway and Guangxi-Vietnam Railway have already been cut off by the Japanese Army and the colonial army of the Vichy French Government; the Japanese are pressuring the British, demanding they continue to close the Burma Road."

"Given the British's current weak degree, they will definitely follow the Appeasement Policy, compromise with the Japanese Army, close the Burma Road, and prevent War of Resistance supplies from entering Xia Guo."

"This is a trend; seeing this method is so simple, the Japanese Army will soon copy it exactly, demanding the Soviet Union close the Northwest Passage."

"Wait until all of Xia Guo's international supply lines drop to zero. Then what will the Central Army use to resist the Japanese Army?"

He Yingqin fell silent; this was a fatal weakness he could not avoid.

The Central Army's industrial foundation was far inferior to the Youth Army's; once the supply lines were cut, the Central Army's combat power would collapse at a visible speed.

"Recognize Free France, and send troops south in a legitimate manner."

"The British are also recognizing Free France; their British Burma colony is being threatened by the Japanese Army, and they can't wait for us to take action and teach the Japanese a lesson!"

"As for the United States, he wants to stop the Japanese Army's expansion but does not want to act personally, so he will tacitly allow us to take action."

"Open up the outlet to the sea of the Indochina Peninsula, and obtain supplies imported from the United States."

"Whatever the Japanese Army wants to do, we will not let him do it; we will make him go completely mad and move toward the other extreme."

He Yingqin realized Lv Muzhi was not joking.

Lv Muzhi seemed to have already prepared for cross-border operations, or was in the process of preparing.

"I will convey your opinion to the Central Government as soon as possible." He Yingqin said, stood up to take his leave, and immediately took a flight back to Hankou.

General Cartier also stood up: "General Lu, your foresight has shown me the hope of restoring the nation. I will set off immediately for Britain to convey your friendship to General Charles de Gaulle."

After the meeting ended, General Cartier hurriedly took his leave; he had to go in search of the freedom of France.

He Yingqin left Beiping on a plane, carrying a heart full of worries.

He had to think carefully about how to explain all this to the old man who hoped to recognize Vichy France.