Steinmetz's worries were not unreasonable. This was actually a common view among major European political analysts at the time. They were so deeply impressed by the French national spirit that they all had some objections to Xiao Letian's judgment. Opinion.
However, Xiao Letian's identity is quite special, and he couldn't make it clear out of respect, so Steinmetz asked in a roundabout way.
At this time, Xiao Letian also understood that this was not Steinmetz's doubt alone. There must be a large number of Prussian officers behind him who also had the same doubt.
You still have to explain things clearly. It seems like you won’t be able to pass the test if you don’t explain things clearly!
Xiao Letian nodded, "Actually, these concerns of yours were also shared by the Prime Minister and the Chief of General Staff before... I understand you very well. Are you worried that we signed the armistice agreement, but in the end France went along with the situation and stabilized the regime? "
"You are afraid that when the left and the right come to a great national reconciliation and the two sides shake hands and form a new government, we will be embarrassed by holding on to the armistice agreement!"
"Our agreement clearly states that the troop withdrawal must not begin until the French have completely paid off their war indemnities. If France completes government reconstruction and reaches political reconciliation ahead of schedule, then the compensation of more than 200 million yuan will probably be paid in a few months. You can prepare it for us!"
"At that time, we will have no choice but to take this little money and head north back home in despair!"
"That's right! That's what I'm worried about! Don't forget, France, a nationalist country, is constantly experiencing internal strife, but as long as there are invaders in the country, they are very likely to unify their thoughts!"
"Hahaha..." Xiao Letian laughed wildly. "Dear Marshal, although your judgment makes sense, it is very narrow! You have omitted many important factors!"
"I can tell you clearly that the reconciliation you are talking about does not exist at all!"
Xiao Letian said categorically, "Some contradictions cannot be reconciled at all. Even if you invite God out, you still can't reconcile them. That's class conflict!"
"I can tell you clearly that if the disagreements, conflicts, and civil war within France at the moment are led by Thiers and Gambetta, and they started fighting, then I will not make such a judgment!"
"I will send troops immediately, no matter how much the loss is, I will capture Paris, and then use Paris as a bargaining chip to demand more post-war benefits!"
"Because Thiers, Gambetta and others can be reconciled under the same national flag, because they are essentially in the same boat!"
"But if the party in the internal strife is replaced by Blanqui and others, then the situation will be different. How to adjust the class contradiction? There is no way to reconcile it from the beginning!"
"Whether it's Thiers, Gambetta, even Trochu... When these politicians come to the forefront, there are countless forces behind them to support them, and these forces are actually capitalists!"
"Of course there are conflicts between capitalist forces. Everyone wants more rights to protect business interests... But this conflict is not about life and death, but just uneven distribution!"
"But class contradictions are irreconcilable. Even if you raise the banner of nationalism, you can't reconcile it, because Blanqui's supporters are endless poor people, and their demands are different from those of the capitalists!"
"For example, you and I are both in business. Due to conflicts of interest in the business field, conflicts arise. I want the right to India, but you also want..."
"You and I fought openly and secretly, but in the end I couldn't beat you, so I could only go to Annan and Southeast Asia to sell in despair... In this kind of conflict, it's just an adjustment of the amount of profit!"
"Imperial Bank needs investment. You want 12% of the shares, and I also want 13%. Who has more, who has less, there will definitely be a balance in the end!"
"But Blanqui's leftists don't want that. What they want is the improvement of the interests of the capitalists' employees, and this kind of improvement is completely unacceptable to the capitalists!"
"Because every extra coin the working class gets is taken out of the pockets of the capitalists. This is directly tearing the bloody flesh and blood of the capitalists!"
"The conflict between capitalists is actually the redistribution of business interests, because capitalists want to make money from other people's pockets. It is nothing more than you taking a little more today, and I will take a little more tomorrow!"
"Look, the starting points for interests are different. Can this contradiction be reconciled?"
Steinmetz twisted his forehead into a flower, "Hiss...it's true, can I still understand it this way!"
"Conflicts between capitalists can actually be adjusted through market behavior, but conflicts between workers and capitalists cannot be adjusted through the market, and can only rely on violence?"
With a snap, Xiao Letian slapped his thigh fiercely, "Exquisite, you summed it up so exquisitely!"
"That's the truth! You and I are both businessmen, and we are doing the same business. My skills are not as good as others, so my business is not as good as yours. I must be convinced of this!"
"But at the same time, I can continue to work hard. I will improve the technological content of my products, increase their quality, and expand the sales market. I will sell my products to Asia, Africa, and the Americas!"
"Through my efforts, I will surpass you one day and become the boss of the industry... In other words, market behavior can adjust the contradiction between us, because we are all capitalists!"
"But the contradiction between workers and capitalists is irreconcilable, because after one party gives in, it will not change!"
"Today you promised workers to raise the minimum wage standard by three francs. You must remember that these three francs will never be reduced. There is no adjustment mechanism to allow this standard to drop!"
"It's easy to give it to them, but it's impossible to take it back from their pockets!"
"Today the minimum wage has been raised. Will workers' compensation be paid tomorrow? Will the daily working hours be reduced the day after tomorrow?"
"Every concession you make is irreversible, and you can't take back the steps you take to retreat! In other words, this contradiction is completely irreversible!"
"Look at the performance of Blanqui and others during this period. Many of their methods have frightened capital to the extreme. All wartime decrees are aimed at infringing on the interests of the property-owning class!"
"The capitalists in France are on the verge of breaking out, and they can no longer tolerate this phenomenon continuing!"
"The volcano can no longer be suppressed. Do you think nationalist ideas can mediate such contradictions? Impossible, civil war will never be avoided!"
Xiao Letian stared at Steinmetz with piercing eyes: "Dear Marshal, please let those quick-tempered people in the military feel at ease... and enjoy the show in a comfortable way!"
"Irreconcilable conflicts will eventually lead to civil war... and the combat effectiveness of the Paris Commune cannot be underestimated. When the time comes, the new French government will definitely ask us for help!"
"When they are badly beaten in Montmartre, they will beg us for help... At that time, they will have to give us whatever price we want!"
"Believe me, this attempt to rip off France must be the most thrilling in human history!"
