1932: Playing with the Japanese Communist Party with a doll

Just the territory of Germany?

A minute later, the door opened again, and a man came in, much to Litvinov's surprise:

"Comrade Wu Hao?" "Comrade Litvinov?"

Wu Hao, who was called by Kruger, was also surprised. He nodded to Litvinov and Cunningham first, then shook hands with Kruger, the only one who stood up to greet him. He was puzzled.

"Mr. Kruger, what are you doing..."

"Please sit here while I discuss today's topic with Mr. Litvinov. You need to hear about this."

"Ok."

Wu Hao sat obediently on the side and listened to Kruger say to Litvinov:

"Ms. Field hopes that the United States can discuss with the Soviet Union the promotion of the liberation of colonies and the liberation of colonial nations around the world."

"Liberate... the colonies? What?"

Litvinov was stunned for a moment.

The word "liberation" isn't particularly unusual, and it's not exclusive to communism. But for a country that still colonizes South America and Southeast Asia to suddenly talk about "liberating its colonies" is a bit puzzling, and even a bit hard to understand.

But immediately, Litvinov's eyes widened, realizing that this was the Americans' "big move," and the target was very clear: Britain!

As we all know, at present, only Britain and France still have the most direct colonies in the world, especially Britain.

The United States is a rival of Britain, and the two sides had already been fighting openly and secretly in the last world war;

Who will be the next world hegemon is a very important issue.

Litvinov (thought he) suddenly understood the origin of the Americans' previous goodwill:

So that's how it is. So they want to drag us, the Soviet Union, into fighting Britain and France at the same time?

The Soviet Union...

and!

Must follow!

And you have to take some initiative!

From a faith and moral perspective, communism must liberate all of humanity, which naturally includes the people of the colonies.

From the perspective of national and ethnic interests, if Britain fell, even if the worst-case scenario was that the United States swallowed up most of it, the rest would surely be eaten up by the Soviet Union!

Therefore, no matter from what standpoint, the Soviet Union must join the United States in dealing with Britain!

Comrade Stalin and the Party Central Committee will certainly be extremely interested in this proposal! Litvinov quickly straightened his bench, sat down firmly, and asked:

"Mr. Kruger, please elaborate on your ideas."

"Is such that..."

What Kruger said is similar to what Litvinov thought:

The Soviet Union and the United States joined forces to promote colonial liberation movements around the world, thereby using this to strike multiple blows at Britain and France, especially Britain, from the perspectives of public opinion, economy, and military.

Britain, which rose to become the world hegemon by relying on its first-mover advantage in the First Industrial Revolution, actually faced a huge survival crisis.

The mainland was too small in size and population, lacking the capacity for self-reliance. It was heavily dependent on overseas colonies, requiring a constant expenditure of energy and money to maintain its rule.

Secondly, in order to maintain their "continental balance policy", they are always joining forces with this and that. They have no real friends in the world. Once they show signs of decline, as long as there is a strong person taking the lead, anyone will try to take a bite.

If Britain lost a large number of its overseas colonies, could it still maintain its position as the world's hegemon, having already enacted the Statute of Westminster and made Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa nominally dominions?

Obviously not.

Who will benefit then?

"...Britain's diplomatic goals have remained unchanged for 500 years—creating a divided Europe and a divided world... I'm sure you've read history, so I don't need to explain these principles in detail."

Kruger did not take many words to "convince" Litvinov:

"They allied with Germany, Russia, and Austria to encircle France, then allied with France and the Ottoman Empire to encircle Russia, and allied with France and Russia to encircle Germany, supporting Germany in suppressing France... Guess what they will do to the Soviet Union next?"

How to do?

United with the US and France to oppose the Soviet Union?

Or allow Germany to become strong again and oppose the Soviet Union?

Litvinov instantly thought of many ways that the British might do or were already doing.

Everyone is very familiar with this set.

Anyway, the essence of Britain is to stir up trouble and cause unrest around the world.

No matter which one, for the Soviet Union, the best way at the moment is to ally with the United States and work together to bring Britain down from its pedestal.

But there is a problem with this.

"How do you intend to ensure that France and Britain do not ally?"

If the Soviet Union and the United States join forces, this matter will definitely not be hidden from Britain. Given the political background of the British, they will soon realize that France will also become a "victim";

At that time, if these two countries join forces, things will become more troublesome.

"Whether they ally or not is not important. Even if they ally, France will not be a concern."

"Why do you say that?"

Litvinov found the Americans' confidence a little incomprehensible.

The French Army is still one of the most powerful forces in Europe and even in the world. Once a war breaks out, it will inevitably deal a serious blow to the invaders.

"In the last world war, too many French people died. The French don't want to fight again, and they won't be very enthusiastic about participating in international affairs."

Kruger simply repeated what Springfield said and then skipped the question:

"Besides, Ms. Field has already said that it doesn't matter whether they ally or not. What's important is that we set a benchmark for colonial liberation and set off a climax of the colonial liberation movement without the British realizing it."

Litvinov immediately understood why Wu Hao was called over.

So, the Americans were planning to establish China as the "benchmark of the colonial liberation movement"?

Is China a colony?

Without a doubt, yes.

Although this country already has a nominally "legitimate national government", none of the major powers in the world take it seriously;

In 1929, because its interests in the Far East were violated, the Soviet Union attacked China as it pleased, and even after that, Chiang Kai-shek did not dare to say anything.

In 1931, the Japanese, encouraged by their actions, invaded Northeast China again and trampled on the face of the entire Nationalist government.

respect?

Sorry, that doesn't exist.

So, China is just a large colony that looks like a normal country on the surface. But Litvinov never expected that the Americans would actually want to support the Chinese Communist Party!

Damn, you're bullying me right in front of me, right?

If Wu Hao was not present, Litvinov could have politely declined Kruger's proposal, or even said, "Sorry, if that's the case, I think supporting the Kuomintang government might be more valuable and efficient."

But as a comrade from the Communist International, we still have to consider our comrades' face. Moreover, this matter will greatly change the Soviet Union's strategy toward China, so we need to go back and ask Stalin for instructions.

So, Litvinov, who was known in the diplomatic field as "a man who could stay out of the water," looked at Wu Hao, smiled, and pretended to be stupid.

"You are right. We need to set a benchmark to encourage the colonial peoples around the world, and China is indeed a good target for support."

Anyway, I just won’t mention “CCP”, I’ll just say “China”; as for which “China” it is, we’ll talk about it later.

If the conditions are right, maybe China could be divided into two parts, North and South? One for the Soviet Union and one for the United States.

As for benchmarks, it’s not impossible to have two.

"Yes, that's what Ms. Field thought."

As if unaware of Litvinov's deception, Krugman also did not insist on specifying "the Chinese government headed by the Communist Party of China":

"So, please communicate with China as soon as possible. Ms. Field hopes that the Soviet Union can send representatives to attend her presidential inauguration in November and formally establish diplomatic relations with my country. As for other matters, we can discuss them later."

In fact, the formal inauguration ceremony should be held in March next year, but the country can no longer withstand the pressure.

President Hoover was impeached, and Vice President Curtis, who was legally responsible for taking the blame, sent a letter almost every day, begging the new President Springfield to take office immediately. The public was calling for this, and even Springfield could not ignore the surging public opinion.

"Okay, okay..."

Kruger didn't need to tell Litvinov that he just wanted to get back to Moscow. He had gained so much from his trip to Nanchang.

Establishing diplomatic relations and trade were secondary. The key was the grand strategy of dismembering the British and French colonies, which was truly "earth-shattering."

It’s not that the Soviet Union didn’t think about it, but it didn’t expect the United States to be so proactive!

Once the two sides reach an agreement, the Soviet Union's strategies toward Britain, France, Germany, and Japan will undergo tremendous changes!

As for China?

As a mere chess piece being manipulated, I have no right to speak except to wait for the verdict of fate.

So, Wu Hao was just called in to listen, and Litvinov didn't even bother to ask him a question.

Litvinov, who left in a hurry because of something on his mind, did not notice that Wu Hao, who stood up next, was just pretending.

After there were no more outsiders in the room, Kruger showed a mocking smile on his face:

"Mr. Wu, there are some things I don't need to say. I'm sure you've already seen that weak countries have no right to speak, and they're not even qualified to be supported. That's the Soviet mindset."

Wu Hao, who had just calmed down from his shock, remained silent.

How could he not see what the Soviets were thinking?

Let’s not talk about what other Soviet people think or what policies the Soviet Union will implement in the future;

At least, Litvinov himself, who issued a declaration after the "September 918th Incident" that "the Soviet Union fully sympathizes with China morally, spiritually and emotionally, and is willing to provide all necessary assistance", certainly had no intention of setting up China or the Communist Party of China as that benchmark.

It's really amazing...

The capitalist United States wanted to support the communist Chinese Communist Party, while the communist Soviet Union did not want to help the communist Chinese Communist Party.

Thinking of the "bits and pieces" of the interactions between the Chinese Communist Party and the Soviet Union over the years (Huh? Why is this so strange), Wu Hao couldn't help but reveal a sarcastic smile at the corner of his mouth.

The scene just now really taught him, who was only 34 years old, a profound lesson on what it means that "between countries, only interests are eternal."

Of course, he also knew that the Americans were "sowing discord"; but so what?

The rift had already appeared, and now it had only widened slightly. The corners of Shanghai Consul Cunningham's mouth curved upwards slightly.

Her Highness the Saint is as good as a god in predicting things.

Although they were all "reds", the conflict between the Chinese and the Soviets was indeed quite deep.

Look, just a few words made the Soviets impatiently expose their true colors.

This planted a seed of dissatisfaction in the hearts of the Chinese people.

In other words, this new force that the United States is about to vigorously support will not move closer to the Soviet Union even if it does not move closer to the United States.

This is undoubtedly a good thing for the United States' interests in China.

Once the Chinese Communist Party comes to power, with Britain and France dethroned and the Soviet Union shunned, which country will benefit the most?

whee.

Cunningham was not a traditional conservative to begin with, and after vaguely sensing Springfield's political leanings, he became a vanguard in carrying out his will. Seeing this, he was naturally pleased and added:

"Of course, no matter what the Soviets think, our country is inclined to set the country and government established by your party as that benchmark. You don't have to worry."

After a moment of silence, Wu Hao, like Soong Ching Ling who had just heard the news, asked the soul-searching question:

“Why us?”

Being used as a tool to fight against Britain and France is not necessarily a bad thing. What is scary is that you are not even worth being used.

Intellectually, US investment in the KMT was certainly in their best interests. Furthermore, the two sides had closer ideologies, making communication easier. There was no need to worry about being accused of "funding local insurgent forces."

Therefore, Wu Hao couldn't understand why Americans didn't choose the Kuomintang, the "legitimate and legitimate government," but chose the Chinese Communist Party, whose ideology was almost completely opposite to theirs.

Kruger smiled but said nothing. Cunningham took out a cigar, lit it, and said slowly, "Mr. Wu, you know, we are a capitalist country. When we do things, we must pay attention to the return on investment. However, this corrupt and incompetent Kuomintang government makes it impossible for us to see any profit from our investment..."

In fact, Cunningham did not think so at first, but after Springfield threw the telegram about the corruption of the Kuomintang government in front of him and expressed his will, he immediately chose to support it.

It’s not that Cunningham thinks there’s anything wrong with corruption per se. He’s been working in Shanghai since the May Fourth Movement, so he’s certainly accustomed to seeing corruption, and he’s even been a part of it himself.

However, whether it was Springfield's telegram or his own understanding, the corrupt methods used by Kuomintang officials at all levels were so damn low-level that they seemed like something only a group of uncivilized monkeys could do.