Travel through the Qing Dynasty and become emperor

Chapter 327 The Key to Europe

"Sometimes I feel very lonely, facing Britain, France, Bulgaria and many other enemies, I feel that the German Empire is on the edge of the world, without a real friend around, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire is not strong enough in the journey of the world. Italy is a vacillating guy who has no opinions, only you and your empire are my only true friends." William tried to show a very sincere look, Guan Xuqing knew that this uncle was asking for something again, he did not He didn't rush to make a statement but quietly watched the other party perform.

William took a sip of tea and continued in a slightly hoarse voice: "But I am sure that the journey of the German Empire is great and full of historical significance. Germany wants to establish a new order for all justice-loving countries in the world. I hope that a strong China can join this rank as soon as possible."

Guan Xuqing said with a smile: "William, at the German celebration last year, I made it clear that no matter what the situation, China will firmly stand on the side of Germany. China and Germany share common national interests and views on the world situation. It is also very consistent that when Germany encounters difficulties, there is no reason why China should not lend a helping hand."

William was so excited that he held Guan Xuqing's hand tightly again, his face was greasy from sweating: "Your Majesty, you are my only friend, and your promise is stronger than the strength of ten British and French armies."

"It's serious, it's serious. But alas." Guan Xuqing sighed, as if he still suppressed many worries in his heart.

"What's the matter? Are you also worried?" William's heart skipped a beat. Only then did he realize that he was too happy, and the Chinese brother-in-law opposite him was definitely not an easy person to deal with.

"William, how can people like us have no troubles? Career troubles, family troubles, and even life troubles are everywhere. Others think that we are kings of a country with unlimited glory, but how do they know that we are always in trouble? I am no longer under the pressure many times more than ordinary people. Sometimes I really want to be a commoner."

"Brother-in-law, I disagree with what you said. A monarch should have the courage to look down on the world. Life is spent in countless troubles, but for strong people like us, power is our greatest happiness. I enjoy fighting I like the pleasure of trampling the enemy under my feet, this is me, the unyielding and proud will of the German royal family flows in my blood." William's voice was high, his expression was excited, and he matched his very emotional gestures , seems to be an excellent speaker.

"You have some truth in what you said, but although the Sino-Russian war is over and China has won, the trauma of this war to China will definitely not recover in a short period of time, and there is still a very difficult problem, which is My people, the old and the young in the Eight Banners of the Manchu Dynasty are full of resentment towards my radical reform measures, if this matter cannot be properly resolved, there is a high possibility of a catastrophe happening in Beijing under my feet." Guan Xuqing peeped while worried Follow William's reaction.

William knew that the other party was using some high-sounding reasons to prevaricate himself. After thinking for a while, his eyes lit up: "If it were me, the only way to suppress those disobedient people is by force. Your Majesty, sometimes I think you are a talented person." My sovereign, but your weakness is that you are too merciful. On the road to the unification of the German Empire, I used swords and spears to silence all those who opposed me!"

Guan Xuqing smiled: "Yes, sometimes I am too kind, and I need to learn more from you in this regard. But no matter how many obstacles the empire is currently facing, the friendship between China and Germany will not change."

Only then did William's brows relax: "Okay! Great! That's exactly what I want to hear. To tell you the truth, Europe is an annoying place, especially the Marne, Little Moltke and my The Kluke troops are facing great difficulties there. At the beginning, I appointed little Maoqi to take over as the chief of staff, largely because we were friends when we were young, and did not take into account his talent and military accomplishment. In addition to the good fortune of his uncle Maoqi, he has been by my side for many years, we know each other very well, and his relationship with the royal relatives is very harmonious, and he has won the favor of the princes and ministers. Without knowing the military, Schlieffen The plan is his emergency elixir. How could I have hired such a waste in the first place?" William waved his angry fists while chattering about the situation of the German army in the Battle of the Marne.

Kluck reached the Marne, which he was pursuing with the French 5th Army and the British Expeditionary Force on its outskirts having crossed the Marne earlier in the day.These two troops, which retreated hastily and fell into exhaustion and confusion, did not blow up the bridge despite repeated telegrams to blow it up.Having captured these bridgeheads, Kluck prepared to cross the river immediately the next morning to continue his pursuit of the French 2th Army, despite orders from the Berlin High Command to keep pace with Biro's 5nd Army.On this day, the officers and soldiers of the Kluk Army marched nearly 30 miles.According to a French eyewitness, when the German soldiers reached near the north bank of the Marne, "many fell to the ground, exhausted, muttering in a daze: '30 miles! 30 miles!' Can't tell." Kluck exhausted his men and outstripped his supply convoy and heavy artillery.In his view, the French army, in its retreat, could never turn around and attack his morale and ability without a bugle.

As Kluck's Army passed east of Paris and could see the Eiffel Tower, its right rear flank was attacked by Mao Laoli's French 6th Army.Kluke immediately ordered the 3rd and 9th armies to turn around and deal with Mao Laoli, and the task of these two armies was to cover the right flank of the German 2nd Army.So their retreat created a gap as wide as 1 miles between the German 2st Army and the 20nd Army.Because the British army facing this gap had retreated quickly, Kluke dared to take this risk.For the German army, the key to victory lies in whether it can defeat the two wings of the French army, namely Mao Laoli's Sixth Army and Foch's, before the main force of the French army and the British army use a gap to break through their waist. 6th Army.

On the fourth day after the German army broke into France, the French army launched a counterattack across the board.The French 6th Army continued to fight fiercely with the German 1st Army on the Olqui River; the French 5th Army also turned around, changed its retreat into an offensive, fought with the German 1st Army, and exchanged fire with the right wing of the German 2nd Army; The 4th and 9th armies intercepted the German 3rd and 4th armies and isolated the German 1st and 2nd armies.At the critical moment, French led the three armies of the British army to quietly climb into the gap between the German 3st Army and the 1nd Army, separating the German 2st Army from the 1nd Army, making Kluck and Bier Luo is in danger of being divided and surrounded.So Biro ordered his 2nd Army to retreat on September 9.Although Kluke's 9st Army temporarily defeated Mao Laoli at that time, he was also in an isolated situation at this time and had to retreat on the same day.

On the sixth day, all German corps retreated.So far, the first battle of the Marne is over.The Allied forces shattered the German army's plan for a quick victory and kept Paris, thus creating a stalemate on the Western Front in World War I.The strategic consequences of this battle were enormous, and the Germans lost their only chance to defeat the French first.In this battle, the warring parties successively invested 150 million troops, with more than 30 casualties.Among them, the French army killed 2.1 people and injured 12.2 people; the German army killed 4.3 people and injured 17.3 people.In more than a month since the outbreak of the war, the German army followed the basic policy set by Schlieffen and quickly advanced through the Belgian territory to the French mainland.At that time, the whole of Germany, and even almost the whole world, was convinced that the German army would win soon and Paris would be occupied.However, when the victory of the Germans seemed to be at hand and the disaster of the French was imminent, the Allied forces turned the tables on the Marne River, so it was called the "Miracle on the Marne River".

As he narrated, the expression on William's face was cloudy, sometimes painful, sometimes nervous, and sometimes laughing wildly, until he finished his last sentence, as if he had struck the last note of an aria, he sighed heavily .

Guan Xuqing patted William on the shoulder and said, "There is an old saying in China that 'victory and defeat are commonplace in military affairs'. This is just a defeat in a local war, which means nothing."

William suddenly raised his head, his eyes glowing red: "I'm not discouraged, I'm just not angry. I just didn't expect that the world's number one German army would lose to the small British and French forces, so I'm going to launch an anti-horse battle in the near future." En River launched its second major offensive"

After speaking, William suddenly stood up, pulled Guan Xuqing to the huge military map on the wall, and said loudly while gesticulating: "This time, we must severely hit the spirit of Britain and France. You see , Our arrangement is as follows. After the German army launched an offensive in the Aisne River area, a Marne River salient with a frontage of 80 kilometers and a depth of 60 kilometers was formed. Subsequently, the German High Command planned to concentrate the forces of the 3 armies in the Marne River area (No. 7. The 1st and 3rd armies, with a total of 48 divisions and 6353 artillery pieces), broke through the defense lines of the Allied Forces from Fort Thierry and the Aisne River, and then attacked Paris. I believe that victory will belong to the unyielding Germans !” William said confidently.

Guan Xuqing just nodded and did not speak.

"However, my friend, I don't trust little Maoqi's commanding ability at all. In order to increase the chance of victory this time, I hope you can send an army to Europe to assist Kluke. I believe that as long as the Chinese army goes out to fight, The crazy England and the weak France will completely lose their pride, and China and Germany will unite, and the world will be trampled under our feet.” William circled around for a long time, and finally said what was in his heart. For the first time, he looked at Guan Xuqing with almost begging eyes.

Unexpectedly, Guan Xuqing laughed loudly, and William was trembling, not sure how the other party would respond to his request.After Guan Xuqing laughed, he stared at William and said, "We are friends, right?"

William nodded blankly, but the other party's gaze and expression appeared unusually cold.

"Since it's a friend's request, why should I refuse?" Guan Xuqing laughed again.

"So you agree?" William was really a little ecstatic.

"Of course, you came all the way to Beijing to see me, and you just made such a small request. If I don't agree, it will appear that you are not enough friends."

William suddenly stood up again, and took Guan Xuqing to the outside of the hall. At this time, the snow outside the door had just melted, and a ray of sunlight reflected the earth into gold. William pointed to the distant sky in the west and said loudly: "My friend , have you seen it? The doors of the whole of Europe are opening for you, and you are holding the key to Europe!"

(End of this chapter)