Chapter 85: Spanish Campaign 4

The two Spanish envoys did not dare to delay at all. They took a boat to Italy that night. One of them went to Rome to meet Mussolini, and the other took a train to Austria. After several days of traveling, they finally arrived in Berlin, the capital of Germany.

"Salute to you, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. I hope you can help Spain get rid of the Red Terror! The Spanish people will be grateful for your greatness and generosity."

Yannick showed a playful smile at the corner of his mouth. "Mr. Envoy, for the sake of your General Franco's situation, you should save these meaningless nonsense. Countries are only related by interests, and gratitude is not worth a penny. Tell me, what do you need and what can you give us?"

"..." Seeing that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince went straight to the point even more straightforwardly than him, the Spanish envoy was stunned. But what he said was reasonable. The Spanish envoy sorted out his thoughts, threw aside the prepared polite words, and stated the purpose of this visit. "We need your country's military support."

"I think so too." Yannick nodded. "Then what can you give?"

The Spanish envoy thought for a moment and asked cautiously. "What does His Royal Highness the Crown Prince need?" He was worried that he would suffer if he asked too high. If the other party offered a price first, there would be a bottom line, and it would be easier to bargain.

"Haha." Yannick suddenly laughed, which puzzled the Spanish envoy, and waved to Anne next to him.

Annie took out a document from the folder and placed it in front of the Spanish envoy.

"Since Mr. Envoy is so polite, I won't be polite either. Here is our price, and we don't accept counter-offers. If your country can accept it, accept it, and if not, just give it up."

Hearing Yannick's tone that was not negotiable, the envoy had a bad premonition in his heart, and he picked up the document with some trembling.

"The first point. Spain needs to provide Germany with three ports, two in the Atlantic direction and one in the Mediterranean. The infrastructure needs to be borne by Spain, and it will be leased to Germany for 99 years at the price of one mark."

The corners of the Spanish envoy's mouth twitched slightly, and he couldn't accept this first point. He knew that Germany had always wanted to have a naval base in the Mediterranean, and the price was one port. Now Germany is asking for three ports?

I can't agree to it!

The second article is about the economy.

"Article 2. Spain allows Germans to invest in any aspect in Spain and reduce the tariff on German goods by 20%."

This also makes it very difficult for Spain. It's not just German products that enter Spain. If the tariff is reduced by 20% for Germany, how can it explain to other countries, especially Britain and France? Is it possible to reduce tariffs for all countries? That would be a huge loss! !

I can't agree to it!

The third article is even more outrageous.

"Article 3. Germany establishes a military security company in Spain, and the Spanish government shall not interfere with the number of employees and weapons and equipment of this military security company."

"..." What's the difference between this and directly deploying German troops in Spanish territory? ! It's just covered with the skin of a "military security company"! ! If the Spanish people knew that Franco signed such a treaty, they would immediately lose the support of the people!

Seeing the uncontrollable trembling of the muscles on the Spanish envoy's face, Yannick kindly explained. "Of course, these are secret clauses and will not be made public. General Franco does not need to worry about being known by his people."

"I think your country's demands are too much." The Spanish envoy's tone was full of dissatisfaction. Although it was a secret treaty, there is no impenetrable wall in the world. If this clause is really signed, the people will know it within a few years.

"Maybe." Yannick nodded disapprovingly. "Mr. Envoy, you are tired from the journey, take a rest first. There is a radio in the room, Mr. Envoy can discuss with General Franco."

"..."That's all he can do. Anyway, he can't sign such a traitorous treaty.

After arriving at his residence, the envoy contacted General Franco as soon as possible, but learned that the situation in Cordoba was quite unfavorable.

Although street fighting can pull all war machines to the same platform and heavy weapons cannot be deployed in street fighting, street fighting also requires a steady stream of reinforcements. Due to the lack of backup, the entire Cordoba is already under siege, and it is only a matter of time before it falls.

Franco certainly felt that the conditions offered by Germany were a bit excessive, and it was simply taking advantage of the situation, but he could only grit his teeth and agree, ordering the envoy to sign the treaty immediately and let Germany send reinforcements as soon as possible.

The Spanish envoy had no choice but to ask Yannick again.

Yannick did not embarrass him and immediately summoned the anxious envoy. The envoy signed the document without saying a word and asked impatiently. "Your Highness, when can your country send reinforcements?"

Yannick said very straightforwardly. "Tomorrow."

"Tomorrow, tomorrow?" The Spanish envoy was stunned for a moment. It was already evening. Wouldn't it be sent tomorrow without any preparation? "You mean tomorrow?"

Yannick shook his head. "No, I mean the first batch of reinforcements will arrive in your country tomorrow to join the battlefield."

The Spanish envoy was even more surprised and blurted out. "How is it possible?!" Even if Germany had long expected Spain to ask for help from them and was ready, how could it join the battlefield tomorrow? Where are their troops? ?

Yannick smiled. He had already discussed it with Italy and Portugal. Mussolini of Italy wanted to promote his fascist system, which had no future; while Portugal was worried that its neighbor would turn red and threaten itself. The three countries hit it off.

Using the naval transport ships of Italy and Germany, a large number of weapons, equipment and personnel were secretly transported to Portugal like ants moving house.

At this time, the Italian and German troops had gathered on the Portuguese border. At dawn tomorrow, they would cross the border and break into Spain to attack the government army.

"This is only the first batch of reinforcements. There will be a 500-man officer corps to train Mr. Franco's army."

The Spanish envoy had to marvel at the foresight of the young crown prince and put forward Spain's needs. "We need a lot of guns and ammunition, and the most needed are machine guns, a lot of light machine guns... Of course, we are also in short supply of airplanes and artillery."

Yannick nodded. "No problem, we can provide a large number of weapons, especially submachine guns, as many as you want. But these are not free gifts, the price is different. As for tanks and planes, we are not rich either."

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"Line up! Quick! Everyone stand up!" Hundreds of German soldiers wearing Franco's army uniforms gathered in a German expeditionary camp near the Portuguese border.

A major began to lecture.

"In an hour we will cross the border ahead and enter Spain to receive the real baptism of fire. I won't say anything extra, you just need to remember three points."

He said while holding up a finger.

"First! Keep your bodies down! Whoever lies down the lowest will survive! Don't rashly stand up on the battlefield, that's what idiots do!"

Then he held up a second finger: "Second, try not to exaggerate your achievements! Because I will believe in these achievements, and next time I will leave more difficult tasks to these troops with excellent achievements!"

Then he looked at the nervous soldiers and held up a third finger: "Third! Remember to make way for bullets and shells! Unless you are more anxious than them."

All the soldiers were stunned, and then burst into laughter, and it was obvious that the tension before the battle was swept away.