“In 1916, a new year’s light rose in this crazy and miserable world, illuminating the vast battlefields all over Europe, where the noblest peoples of Christendom were in the confusion of mutual murder. Two years ago,

Those who had firmly believed that the war would end before Christmas can finally be sure that this war will continue until it ends in destruction. The huge armed forces of both sides are evenly matched, so each side will inevitably cause immeasurable damage to the other side in the war.

No one is immune. All the participating countries in the two major alliances are trapped in sins from which they cannot extricate themselves.

In the northern French provinces that were invaded and occupied by Germany, the strong passion for resistance inspired the French people to drive the enemy out of their own country. The trench lines in the stalemate between the two armies did not extend along the national border, but ran through the belly of France. If it were

Along the national borders, negotiations might be possible. The call to rid French territory of foreign oppression had become a household name and strengthened the resolve of every citizen. On the other hand, although the German army was almost everywhere in the territory it conquered, it was not possible to fight with all its strength and blood.

It cannot achieve the desired results, nor can it pay the penalty price due to the initial miscalculation, and it is even more difficult to compensate for the mistakes she made. Anyone who proposes a wise and just policy of not launching a war will be overthrown, regardless of which German court or government

..

Therefore, France's defeat and Germany's conquest of its territory also forced the two countries to continue the war. An unprecedented strong enthusiasm and determination burst out in the hearts of the people of almost every participating country. They did not hesitate to fight at any cost and without fear of any risks.

Fight for victory.

The desire to dominate the forces of other countries participating in the war was equally urgent. Like Italy, China had already declared war, but only sent troops to Europe on New Year's Day in 1916 because it had received dazzling promises; these specific promises were contained in the "Sino-French Treaty of Beijing"

》Among them.

In the treaty, China received too many benefit promises. Of course, unlike any other country, China is not seeking territorial interests, but its own commercial and military interests. Perhaps for the Chinese Army, they use

The reason why they send out troops is to build a powerful army with machine guns, but no one will ignore it. For China, the country with the least interest in the alliance, the fundamental reason why they send out troops is that they want to seek changes in their international status and compete with them.

Unlike any other country, what they seek is perhaps the most common in the world, and it should be effectively implemented - an international fair system. For this, hundreds of thousands, or even more, Chinese people are willing to sacrifice their lives.

As a price!

Therefore, even for China, which has the least interests, like other countries, the stakes in all aspects are extremely serious and even fatal. The member states of the two major alliances are tied to their respective alliances, and each

Member states are tied to their enemies with invisible ropes. Only the flames of war can melt or blow up these invisible ropes."

1924 - Memoirs of Woolold Wilson

Paris in 1916,

At this time, this is the most prosperous metropolis in the world. Although the heavily guarded appearance of the Battle of the Marne when the war broke out can no longer be seen, the scenery of the war can still be seen in this metropolis. The impact of the war on Paris

The impact is in all aspects. For Parisians, the most direct impact is that new plays are rarely performed in opera houses. Even if they are staged, they are often patriotic plays related to patriotism. Of course, this only affects the rich.

People's mood, but for the rich. Even if the war breaks out, even if luxury goods are levied with high taxes, and even drinks are levied with high taxes of more than 300%, the real impact on the rich is probably them

Various dances held may be criticized and attacked by public opinion. But even so, they have not really affected the lives of the rich.

However, the impact of the war on the lives of ordinary people was so great that these Parisians suffered deeply. Perhaps Paris in 1916 was far from Berlin, because the maritime embargo caused silk, wine and even flour and meat to be in the market.

Even potatoes and coal are in short supply, but this does not mean that the life of Parisians will be much better. For ordinary people, perhaps the market is still supplied with sufficient supplies from the United States, South America, French colonies and

All kinds of supplies from China, but the rising prices of these commodities are not something every Parisian can afford. (1_1)

For Parisians, or to be precise, every Frenchman, when young people are being called up to join the army and go to the front line under the inspiration of patriotism, every Frenchman is enduring, and the men's razors need to be sharpened repeatedly by hand.

After using it, women rarely buy silk dresses anymore, and even perfume is rarely used.

The impact of the war is in all aspects, but no matter what life is like, every Frenchman, inspired by the shame of 1871, insists on one belief - to continue the war until victory!

In Paris, it is the French General Headquarters of the Paris Army Department who is fighting this war with the belief that victory must be won. In the past two years, the French General Headquarters has been fighting this war with an almost paranoid attitude.

, no matter what kind of adversity they face, no matter what kind of crisis they face, no matter what kind of losses they face, they still persevere and continue to fight this war that seems to have no end in sight.

At this time, the War Department, which was built during the Napoleonic era, was also the headquarters of the French army. In the corridor with a strong Louis-style luxury style, from time to time, generals and officers would cast their sights towards the end of the corridor, where was the French army commander-in-chief Joseph Chass.

They had been paying attention to Marshal Fei's office since the angry-faced young lieutenant general walked into the office.

"I thank you!"

Standing in his office, facing Marshal Joseph Xiafei and several other French generals in front of him, Han Wu said in extremely fluent French.

"I appreciate your discrimination!"

This sentence made everyone look slightly embarrassed. They were well aware of the "unkindness" towards the Chinese Expeditionary Force, but in their view, there was no need for the Eastern Army to enjoy the same treatment as the French Army. Of course,

Their treatment should probably be a little higher than that of Annan's army, but at most it's just a little higher.

But now, after questioning him, the other party thanked him, which really made their faces warm.

"Your discrimination will make us understand..."

Staring at the marshal, the sorrow and anger in Han Wu's expression disappeared, and instead showed a trace of solemnity.

"Without a victory, there would be no respect from Westerners for the Chinese Expeditionary Force!"

"General Han..."

"Please don't interrupt me!"

Uncharacteristically, Han Wu did not give the other party a chance to speak. He just looked at the room. Marshal Joseph Xiafei and other generals had previously promised him that the expeditionary force would be treated fairly and kindly.

"One day you will realize the mistake you made today and be ashamed of it!"

When the words fell, Han Wu raised his head slightly, then looked at everyone and said.

"I think the overall schedule of the expeditionary force will not change! Generals!"

Turning back to stare at Cai E, Xu Shuzheng's words were full of agitated emotions.

"Tell everyone, if you want to win respect, you have to defeat the Germans on the battlefield, convince the French, and admire the Westerners!"

At this time, Xu Shuzheng's chest surged with enthusiasm. Perhaps the French generals respected him very much as a lieutenant general. If there was no discrimination against the expeditionary force, perhaps he would really think that the French respected him.

They treat them equally, but now, the behavior of the French has changed his mind.

The French people's respect for them is only superficial at best. From the bottom of their hearts, they look down on the Chinese people, and they look down on the Chinese people! It is precisely because of realizing this that Xu Shuzheng did what he did to Cai E

He moved the headquarters out of the manor near the military camp and moved it to this simple wooden house. He shared the joys and sorrows with the soldiers.

"Sooner or later, they will regret it!"

Patting Xu Shuzheng's shoulder, Cai E walked to the door and looked at the officers and soldiers who were beginning physical recovery training on the training ground. Now each of them was holding a breath in their hearts, and everyone who was holding that breath was

It is extremely uncomfortable for everyone. From officers to soldiers, everyone is waiting for the opportunity to win the respect of Westerners on the battlefield, and by then...by then, they will definitely regret it! And in history

Whenever this scene is recorded, the French will be accused of being short-sighted and stupid, and this day will surely come.

"Dignity is achieved through fighting!"

When putting down the telegram, Li Zicheng first blew out a puff of smoke and then said.

"This is an eternal truth, but some people actually ridiculously think that China's international status will be improved as long as it joins the war!"

While shaking his head and sighing, Li Zicheng felt for the first time that some people who seemed very Lianming were also confused on this issue. It seemed to them that as long as the Chinese ** team set foot on the European continent, it would be clear.

The improvement of China's international status shows that countries around the world treat China as an equal.

"Some people naively think that the expeditionary force will change everything, but they don't know at all. The dispatch of the expeditionary force is only the first step. If the expeditionary force fails..."

Emphasizing the last two words, Li Zicheng stood up as he looked at the shogunate in the office.

"If it fails, then China's international status will not even be as good as it is now! It can be said that the expeditionary force is very important. It can only win, not lose! Before, many people were fantasizing about something. After the expeditionary force arrived in France

What a warm welcome I will receive, but I have been worried."

Taking a puff of cigarette, Li Zicheng turned his attention to Zhang Yilin.

"Do you know what I'm worried about?"

"Prime Minister?"

Zhang Yilin was very puzzled by the Prime Minister's question. What was the Prime Minister worried about? Was he worried that they would be treated unfairly?

"What I've been worried about is that the French won't really welcome us warmly. It's not that I don't want them to warmly welcome the expeditionary force. I'm afraid..."

Turning around and putting out the cigarette butt in the ashtray, Li Zicheng let out a long sigh and then said helplessly.

"I was afraid that the welcome would be too warm. Instead, it would make the expeditionary force drift up and down and become proud. I wanted to say, a proud army will be defeated! But there is another sentence, a sad army will win! Whether it is the French's cold treatment or discrimination,

No matter what, it's a good thing for us. The more he looks down on us, the more we have to fight for words. Only by fighting for words can others respect us, and by then, our soldiers will know that respect comes from him.

What, they got it by telling them to shoot and kill with all their might, not as a gift from the great powers!"

Faced with Li Zicheng's remarks, no one would doubt it. In fact, the Prime Minister's words can be said to be very reasonable. There is no unreasonable respect and discrimination in the world. Without the decades of humiliation after the Opium War, China would have

How could there have been so many national humiliations today? Without the desperate fight of the soldiers in the "Jiao'ao Incident", how could there have been such a drastic change in international perceptions?

"Prime Minister, now I have another concern,"

Xiao Xiao took out a cigarette from the iron chimney on the coffee table, but Xiao Xiao was a little worried.

"Since the French look down on us, how can they not let us throw ourselves into the decisive battlefield? You must know that the French discriminate against us ***, they don't dare to hand over their defense line to us. By then, I guess we can only

That is to say, they are sent to a place where they play gongs and drums to take advantage of the excitement, or make wedding dresses for the French. Until then..."

"Well, Xinren, your worries are very reasonable, but you haven't thought about it at all!"

While speaking, Li Zicheng walked towards the wall and pointed at the world map on the wall.

"After the Battle of the Marne, the Germans who failed to defeat France quickly turned to the Eastern Front, while the Western Front turned to trench stalemate warfare in the hope of defeating Russia in a short period of time to end the war. Now, the war on the Eastern Front has been going on for a year.

, but there are no signs of Russia surrendering or failing, and Britain and France have launched counterattacks from the Western Front many times. The Germans will not be able to hold out for long. If my predictions are correct, in the first half of this year, the Germans will definitely attack

A new offensive on the Western Front!"

When mentioning the attack on the Western Front, Li Zicheng raised the corner of his lips slightly. The fact is that soon, the largest battle in the history of the Western Front since the Battle of the Marne will break out on the Western Front. The battle aimed at

It was a battle that drained the blood of France, but it also drained the blood of Germany. The preparations of the Germans for this battle were extremely complete, especially in strategic deception. They were very successful. The British and French military and intelligence circles did not pay attention at all.

Unusual transfer to the German ** team.

If everything continues to develop as it has historically, then the expeditionary force will soon face a fierce battle, and this fierce battle may bring heavy casualties to the expeditionary force, but it will also change many things, such as

Fundamentally change Westerners’ discrimination against Chinese people!

"By then, the situation in the entire Europe will have undergone fundamental changes! And the expeditionary force will also prove their existence to the world!"
Chapter completed!