1932: Playing with the Japanese Communist Party with a doll

Whether as the "President of the United States" or as the "Saint" today.

Prime Minister Asanya also thought of this possibility, and his expression became somewhat uncertain.

What should he do if Chuntian really made a similar request?

promise?

Offending the domestic landlord class; refusing to agree?

Offending the Saint President of the United States.

From the perspective of law and justice, he should have severely punished the thugs - whether they were the poor people who massacred the landlord's family or the landlord's armed forces and military police who subsequently massacred civilians;

But the question is, if everything in the world is really that simple, how could it be possible for an outsider to dictate Spain's internal affairs?

However, after asking this question, Haruta did not immediately "bring justice" to the massacred villagers as everyone had expected. Instead, he shouted loudly:

“Have the representatives of the Barcelona government, the United Socialist Party of Catalonia and the Republican Left of Catalonia arrived?”

Barcelona is the capital of the later "Autonomous Region of Catalonia" and is currently the core of the Catalan independence movement. The culture of this region is quite different from that of most parts of Spain, and due to some historical reasons, it has a strong tendency towards independence.

The crowd was in a commotion for a while, and then several people stood up and bowed. "Your Highness, what can I do for you?"

From the name, it can be seen that this place is also an area where Catholicism has penetrated deeply.

"I heard that you have been seeking Catalan independence, and you think you are being blocked by some forces, especially the Republican government, right?"

33

Several people glanced at Asaniya, whose face was ashen, and nodded: "Yes."

"But the villagers of Bernard Edith also shouted slogans of independence and wanted to take control of their own destiny. Why did you not only disagree, but also respond to their demands with butcher knives?"

This time, it was these people's turn to have ugly expressions.

They really want to answer that these people were massacred because they dared to rebel and even kill local masters, and even wanted to "disobey management", but in this way, the legitimacy of the "Catalan Independence Movement" will be shaky.

Since you say that your desire for independence is legal and should not be obstructed by the government, why do you resort to repression and massacre when the people under your rule want independence?

Well, even if you say this was "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, blood for blood," then why did these innocent women and children who did not participate in the rebellion or the massacre of the landlords die so tragically?

You can't just answer "I just want to massacre, what's it to you?"

Although theoretically, the President of the United States, Springfield, did not have the power to govern Spanish affairs, theory was theory. In theory, she was not qualified to interfere in the affairs of the Vatican!

The problem is that she is a "saint" recognized by the Holy See before and the "eternal guide" just announced (almost equivalent to a pope). As long as she wants to control things, she can really control them.

Seeing this group of independent elements being speechless after being criticized by Springfield, representatives of some groups such as anarchism, Pan-Hispanic nationalism, trade unionism, and anarcho-syndicalism felt very happy.

Needless to say, the anarchists were the ones who led the uprising. After the massacre, the local government not only did not punish the murderers, but instead accused them of daring to resist the government.

Pan-Spanish nationalists (including Franco) believed that all of Spain should have only one nation, forming a united force to survive together, and that seeking independence was undoubtedly an act of betrayal that would split the motherland's territory;

As for the trade unions, most of them are industrial entrepreneurs and workers' representatives. Catalonia is rich in resources and is Spain's most important source of industrial raw materials. If it becomes independent, it will deal a heavy blow to Spanish industry. They are naturally not happy about it.

The people in the Asanya government were also very happy.

They thought the central government had been quite tolerant and respectful toward separatists, and had in fact agreed to their demands for autonomy. But they went even further, demanding direct territorial division!

Well, now you get hammered, right? You deserve it!

One of the separatists gritted his teeth and replied:

"Your Highness, these villagers' actions have gone beyond the scope of self-government. They have killed local gentlemen and threatened..."

"Kill? Threaten?"

Chuntian interrupted him rudely:

"If violence is your excuse for violence, then I would like to ask, what causes this violence? Is it because the peasants are inherently brutal, or is it because long-term oppression and injustice have made their lives unbearable?"

Before the independents could reply, an anarcho-syndicalist shouted excitedly:

"Ms. Field, they were forced to revolt because they couldn't survive!"

Everyone looked at the person who was speaking. His face flushed red as he excitedly told everyone how the villagers were being exploited and humiliated by the local government and landlords, how they were living in poverty and even dying of hunger and cold.

Like everyone else, Haruta listened silently to what was happening in other parts of Spain, recalling the mistakes made by the Spanish government in history.

在1931年到1933年期间,西班牙有将近300万农民没有任何土地或者只有一丁点儿的土地,全国一半以上的土地集中在5万名地主手里;(此时整个西班牙约2300万人)

Especially in southern Spain, large landowners monopolized almost all the land through the large estate model, forcing farmers to work as agricultural workers. However, due to abundant human resources, they lowered workers' wages to the point where they could not even maintain basic living standards.

If you don't do it, people will do it.

At this time, what is the Spanish government doing when it should make timely adjustments to land policies and protect farmers' basic survival rights?

The answer is that there was a repeated tug-of-war between "moderate land reform" and "no land reform", and between "revolution" and "reform".

As mentioned earlier, due to its overly radical religious policies, the Asanya government itself has already offended the peasant community, most of whom are faithful believers;

At this point, if farmers could be given enough tangible economic benefits, most would undoubtedly abandon religion without hesitation and choose the benefits that could be realized—when they are starving to death, who would care about those illusory things?

However, the composition of the Azaña government was too complex. The forces opposing land reform were not much weaker than those supporting it. In the end, they even came up with a policy of "buying people off with money and taking it slow."

Brother, you are working on land reform, are you treating me to a meal?

If they were truly wealthy, they could buy up all the land held by landlords nationwide and distribute it to the farmers. The problem is that the Azania government is also incredibly poor and can barely pay salaries.

As a result, after nearly three years in power, only about 3 farmers in the country were allocated some land. The other landless and impoverished people who were forced into desperation had to "work hard to make ends meet". The uprising in the village of Bernard Edith was a typical example.

After listening to the anarchists' accusations, Haruta commented:

"...some people choose violence out of desperation, but this violence is primarily motivated by the desire to survive, while others respond to these desperate voices with even greater violence... Is this right? It's not right."

Some people feel ashamed, some are disdainful, some sneer, and some shed tears.

But no matter what, the dignified American saintly president has made such a statement. In addition, the massacre is indeed an anti-human act that is universally despised in modern society. Spain must definitely give a positive response.

The heads of Catalonia's two independence parties and the Barcelona government promised on the spot that they would conduct a thorough investigation into the tragedy and severely punish those involved. Prime Minister Azaña also took the opportunity to express that he would strictly supervise the implementation.

But Chuntian shook his head:

"Is it enough to simply punish these people? If the root cause is not addressed, tragedies like this will only happen again and again... Where is the Archbishop of Barcelona?"

"Your Highness, it is a great honor to meet you."

A middle-aged man trembled and stood up, bowing deeply, his tone extremely respectful:

"I am June Joseph, at your service."

"I ask you, as the Lord's servants, you should spread the Lord's glory to time. Why do you turn a blind eye to the tragedy of peasants starving and freezing, forced to revolt, and then being massacred? Why have I never heard of you extending a helping hand?"

In Spain, the Church was not a major landowner, but it was not far off—it owned at least 11,000 fertile properties with a total value of about 130 million pesetas, almost equal to the total capital of Spanish banks at the time.

In addition, it also owns assets of equal size in the city, invests heavily in finance and industry, and controls some important companies directly or through agents.

The church is not only a spiritual guide, but also an economic controller.

However, their exploitation of the peasants was no less than that of the landlords, and even worse.

It is no wonder that in the Spanish Civil War a few years later, at least one-fifth of the clergy of the entire Spanish Catholic Church and more related personnel were massacred.

After hearing what Chuntian said, Bishop Joseph was so frightened that he knelt down, pressed his forehead against the charred soil, and repeatedly defended himself:

"Saint! I have sent people to deliver food, but resources are limited. It really is..."

His Holiness the Pope suffered "divine punishment" for his corruption and depravity, and his soul was suffering in hell. The Spanish Chief Cardinal de Mendoza also went there and never returned. He did not want to become a victim in the hands of Her Highness the Saint.

"Send food? Sending a little food is considered aid?"

Haruta rebuked the Archbishop without hesitation, piercing his hypocrisy and greed like a sharp sword:

"You must know that everything you have comes from the donations of believers. Every penny is their hard-earned money. Now that the believers are in trouble, is it enough to take a little insignificant food?"

"You own the land, but let the farmers starve; you own the wealth, but turn a blind eye to the suffering of the poor; you keep spreading the glory of the Lord, but you have never really done anything for the believers!"

"You enjoy expensive red wine and steak, but you refuse to bend down and stand with the farmers to solve their livelihood problems. Are you still believers in God? Answer me!!"

For a clergyman, this accusation was equivalent to the communist's "Are you still a party member?" Bishop Joseph's body trembled even more violently. He lay on the ground, not daring to look up or even to defend himself.

The church clergy were scolded harshly, and the faces of others were also not very good.

This is a case of pointing fingers at the mulberry tree and cursing the locust tree.

Although many people were delighted by Springfield's criticism of the church, it was not just the church that was desperately exploiting farmers and failing to lend a helping hand.

The masters are all playing parliamentary politics and fighting each other in the city. How many of them care about the survival of the lower classes?

Even the so-called "socialists" and "communists" paid little attention to the peasants.

Even in the eyes of some "leftists", workers still have some use, but farmers are completely worthless.

They don’t mind if other people curse at them, but no one dares to underestimate the influence of this person’s curse.

After berating the Barcelona Church and nearly knocking the bishop unconscious, Haruta let out a long sigh.

"Bishop Joseph!"

"I...I am..."

"Do you want to be cleansed of your sins and have your soul go to heaven?"

Joseph shuddered and crouched even lower:

"Please give your orders, Your Highness! The Diocese of Barcelona will obey them absolutely, no matter what they are!"

Regardless of whether your soul will go to heaven or not, it is true that if you don’t behave yourself, you will go to hell immediately.

"it is good."

Haruta nodded with satisfaction:

"The Church is an important part of Spanish society, and you, as the executor of God's will on earth, have the responsibility and obligation to actively participate in Spain's reforms;"

"From today on, all land owned by the Barcelona Church must be distributed free of charge to the landless poor, and all assets under its name must be used to improve the lives of the lower classes! All clergy must take root at the grassroots level!"

"If you're not willing to change on your own initiative, then I don't mind pushing for change myself!"

33

Anyone who was even slightly sensitive to politics immediately felt a pang of fear: Oh no!

This is to seize power!

514 Chinese-style communist new church

Seizing power, undoubtedly seizing power.

At this moment, all the Spanish forces at the scene finally confirmed this.

Based on his own strong prestige and status, and using "participating in reforms" and "helping the poor" as excuses, he relied on the dense network of Catholic foundations in Spain to gradually control the entire Spain!

In this way, the United States can achieve a major leap from religion to politics under the premise of "non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries" and avoid some meaningless verbal disputes!

For example, when the time is right, we could establish an organization like the "Spanish branch of the People's Party of God" to participate in the Spanish elections and...

What a fair and yet extremely vicious strategy!

After realizing this, Prime Minister Asanya and the others looked even uglier. But who could object?

What's the reason for opposing it? Is "participating in reform" wrong?

The need for vigorous reform was a consensus among all political forces in Spain, from top to bottom, from the nobility to the common people, from the cities to the countryside. Everyone knew that without reform, Spain would be completely reduced from the former empire on which the sun never set to a colonial existence.

Is it wrong to “help the poor”?

Spain is a civilized country in a civilized society. There are some things that can be done but they cannot be openly admitted. Moreover, helping the poor is a doctrine that the church requires, and no one can say that it is wrong.

Is “dividing land into households” wrong?

So why is the Azania government trying so hard to give farmers some land?

Even if you insist on accusing Springfield of "interfering in Spain's internal affairs" and "destabilizing the domestic situation in Spain," they have their reasons:

The land you are dividing belongs to the church, and the money you are paying is from the church. The church has no objection. Where did you come from, a monster, to dare to complain?

For a moment, no one could come up with a suitable rebuttal, and the air fell silent. Only Bishop Joseph, still lying there, answered firmly:

"Yes! Your Highness! I obey your command! The entire Barcelona Church will absolutely obey your will!"

"Thanks for your hard work."

Seeing Bishop Joseph so well-behaved, Chuntian, knowing the time had come, stepped forward and personally helped him up from the ground, his tone much gentler:

"Actually, I know that not everyone in Barcelona, ​​or even the entire Spanish Church, is blind to the suffering of the poor. You too are being constrained and suppressed in various ways..."