Chen Tian Falkenhayn walked out of the venue side by side. After the rain, the air was particularly fresh, but the ground was a little muddy.
"The French won’t refuse our request!" Chen Tian thought the negotiation was really interesting. The emperor didn’t send a professional politician to the French to sharpen his mouth. Fortunately, the chief of staff did well.
Falkenhayn didn’t answer this question directly. "Before I came, the emperor told me the specific requirements and the bottom line. Actually, I can decide that there are not many things. The emperor was determined to eliminate this threat from our six western powers in Iraq. It doesn’t matter whether the French accepted it or not. It is necessary to solve the war through war. No German will object to giving France another final blow."
Chen Tian nodded his head. It seems that the emperor doesn’t mind the war going on, and presumably the German people don’t mind either. After all, the war has only been fought for three and a half months, and the dominant party is still very enthusiastic about the war.
At this time, the French motorcade disappeared from people’s sight, and it seems that they are in a hurry to go back for a while.
"The frontier position of the 3rd Regiment Army is 2 kilometers away from here. Dear generals, let’s all go and inspect the situation there! By the way, I would like to express my condolences to our brave soldiers. They are the heroes of victory! " Falkenhayn turned to the crowd and said that Chen Tian and others are naturally in favor of spending the night in the 3rd regiment of General Hausen according to the prior arrangement. After all, it is almost impossible to end the negotiations in one day.
The generals got into the car in twos and threes, and their faces looked relaxed.
"How did the British react?" Chen Tian naturally sat in Falkenhayn’s car.
"After the French asked for armistice negotiations, they seem to have a heart for peace!" Falkenhayn’s tone doesn’t sound that Germany and Britain hope for peace talks. "It seems that it is not so easy for the British to be the boss of the sea for many years. They want reconciliation, but the emperor wants them to kill themselves!"
"Hand over all ships? Or cut land compensation? " Chen Tian thinks the word "self-destructive weapon" is very interesting, as if he wants the British to practice the sunflower collection.
"It’s all shipyards! In the future, all cargo ships and warships must be ordered from China and the number and tonnage of their warships must be limited! "
Like Falkenhayn, I feel that this requirement is really in place, which is simply to cut off the roots of the British people
"The emperor’s way is really unique, so that the British can nest on the island as fishermen!"
"Shipyards in all British colonies are subject to this restriction!" Although Falkenhayn didn’t say it, the British certainly wouldn’t accept such harsh conditions.
"The British overhauled the coastal fortress and added a large number of six military units. Compared with the defeat, the French and the British still have fears!" Chen Tian was a little depressed. "If American ships hadn’t been sending food to the British Isles, it would have been too long for many British troops to starve to death on the island because of the naval siege for several years!"
"I heard that the British are going to transfer the royal family, the government and a lot of wealth to Canada! But this is hearsay haha! "
The wealth of the British Empire is always a fantasy, so there are a lot of gossip in this regard. However, at present, spies from all sides have not got the exact news. Judging from the current situation, it is time for the British to stay behind.
"Gold and treasures of the British Empire?" I don’t know whether I should be thankful or not. It was the vacillating attitude of the Kaiser towards Britain that made the British people not immediately feel that Germany was about to go to Britain to threaten the two countries after losing the main force of the fleet, and even there was hope for peace. Therefore, the British royal family and government delayed making plans to go into exile. Only after the Kaiser issued the order of "destroying France in January and going to Britain in January and a half" did the British realize the seriousness of the matter.
"The amount of wealth accumulated by this huge empire over the centuries must be staggering. If Germany has this wealth, its national strength and military strength will be even stronger, and it will probably not be a problem to build hundreds of battleships. Perhaps this is one reason why the emperor insisted on landing in Britain!" When Falkenhayn said this, his thoughts had already flown to the distant British Isles. Perhaps the British are racking their brains to find ways to transport gold out.
Chen Tian guessed half right, but someone was racking their brains, but he was not in the British Isles, but in Washington, USA.
After coming to the United States for more than a month, Churchill moved around, not only many American lawmakers held talks, but also met with American President Wilson twice. However, he was disappointed because Germany gained great advantages in the war, and the German navy always searched American ships before taking corresponding measures in the sea blockade. Up to now, an American was killed in the attack of the German navy. Although many American ships were searched and sunk, the Germans produced evidence that they violated Chinese legislation on this American ship. The leaders also confirmed that, therefore, except for a few shipowners whose interests were damaged but lost, Americans generally have a low willingness to participate in the war, and they are even more pessimistic about whether they can win after the war.
However, after France announced that Germany would hold armistice negotiations, US President Wilson took the initiative to summon Churchill.
"dear Mr. president, it’s nice to see you again!" Churchill seemed to smell his chance, and Wilson seemed to be much kinder this time.
"Ah, did Mr. Churchill look around during this period? What do you think of our America? "
Churchill said while trying to figure out the meaning of the other party, "It’s very good. Your economy is very high, and the industrial shipbuilding industry is very good. The people seem to have a rich life. It’s really enviable!"
"Thank you for your compliment! Our government deeply regrets that your most loyal French ally is about to withdraw from the war! I am afraid that in Europe, your country will face the allied attacks such as Germany, Austria, Russia and Turkey alone! " Wilson said with great regret
Churchill cursed these hypocritical Americans in his heart. They have earned a lot of pounds from Britain in the past few months during the war. This kind of transaction is very profitable.
"yes! In view of the fact that the Germans have never stopped there, our country will always fight to believe that victory will definitely be on the just side! However, Britain will definitely not be the last goal of the Germans, and they will reach out to Africa, Asia and America until the whole world is included in their sphere of influence! With all due respect, maybe one day that United state will face a stronger ally alone, just like Britain, but your country can finally compromise with Germany and accept that they dominate the world! "
"No, no, no, no, Mr. Churchill, we in the United States have always pursued neutrality and will never accept the leadership of others! Similarly, we don’t want to see a country or an alliance pose a threat to the United States! We believe that all European countries have their own democracy and freedom. Germany should not be tough to bring other European countries into its sphere of influence! "
More precisely, Wilson and the United States do not want to see a unified Europe, but once France surrenders, most of Europe is controlled by German allies. As far as American strength is concerned, it is unrealistic to confront the whole Europe. What’s more, there are far fewer American colonies than European countries.
"Without the naval superiority, it is difficult for Britain to confront more than half of Europe. I think your country should fight an evil allied war with China from the perspective of the future exhibition. If we can win the war, we can certainly divide up the colonies of Germany and Austria!" Churchill once again threw out the colonial temptation, but before defeating the Allies, this temptation was purely a check
"Oh, my dear Mr. Churchill, you still haven’t got my meaning! We in the United States are peace-loving countries, and neither my people nor I want to get involved in your war. However, in view of the long-term friendship between our two countries, we can provide you with a lot of war materials and even build warships in your country! " In fact, Wilson and the American government see the interests, and they will not risk a war with little chance of winning, or even little chance of winning.
“？” Churchill’s words just came out, and this question is really stupid. God, there is no money for lunch. He is an American in front of him.
"Of course, it is not to make weapons, but also to need workers’ labor and original resources!" In the eyes of Wilson and Americans, Britain is a landowner who owns a large number of colonies and trade with the sea. Even if their land is blocked, the money flowing into Britain every day is amazing. How can such a country give lunch?
"That I’m afraid your so-called support also of no help! China has spent a lot of money on buying weapons and materials from your country, and the government funds are already stretched! " I was disappointed that Wilson said that the United States would not go to war and Churchill came. Now he is more like a profiteer.
"We have also considered this situation, so your country can exchange our materials by renting and selling colonial land, ports and military bases."
Wilson laughed that he was not only a profiteer, but also a rogue who robbed the fish in troubled waters.
Churchill thought that it is better to be slaughtered by Americans than destroyed by Germans in the current situation. "But even if we get weapons in exchange for what you said, we can’t transport them to British soil!" You know that the Germans are tightly blocked! "
"But what if we sell the whole fleet to you?"
"Oh my God! How much does that cost? " Churchill Khan-Americans really have a big appetite, and the benefits are not afraid of provoking the Germans.
"According to the price of a dreaded battleship of 5000 pounds, an armored battleship of 2000 pounds, a heavy cruiser of 1000 pounds, a light cruiser of 600 pounds and a destroyer of 300 pounds, a powerful fleet needs 1 billion pounds!" In Wilson’s view, it doesn’t take long to rebuild a fleet with American shipbuilding industry. What the United States lacks now is overseas colonies
"1 billion pounds!" Although Churchill was psychologically prepared, he was still taken aback by Wilson’s offer. To know that the cost of a George V-class battleship was not more than 2 million pounds, and the planned cost of an Elizabeth-class battleship was only 2.5 million pounds. He soon came for nothing. What the Americans wanted was not money, but a British colony. As far as he knew, the American president had a strong expansionist tendency to establish and consolidate the absolute control of the Panama Canal in Central America and the Caribbean. The United States threatened, interfered and controlled Mexico, Nicaragua, Haiti, Cuba and the Dominican Republic. Wilson resolutely opposes revolutionary means to eliminate various ills of capitalism, opposes women’s access to elections, and has a strong racist tendency towards blacks.
"I will convey your opinion to our king and government, but I still want to remind you that the Germans are likely to become angry because of this. It is better for your country to take the initiative to join the just war against the evil alliance!"
"No, Mr. Churchill, we are supporting our country’s national defense in a non-war way. The failure of Britain is something we never want to see! To the Germans, I believe that they will not fight against our country because of this, and our country will give them some sweetness appropriately. Stupid Germans are easy to settle! " Wilson said confidently.
Chapter 10 Plymouth farce
When Falkenhayn and Chen Tian and others came to the forefront of the 3rd regiment, many soldiers were either sitting in muddy trenches and sticking to their posts. It was their duty not to be afraid of dirt and hardship, but it was their wind. Although it was not the first time to see such a scene, Chen Tian was proud and proud of these simple and brave German soldiers. They were absolutely world-class, which I am afraid even their opponents had to admit.
Seeing the arrival of this group of senior generals, the German soldiers paid attention to it. It seems that the French were the first to take the lead. Now both armies like to dig deep trenches. At the front line, the soldiers live in caves, which are dug in the ground, built of wood and covered with thick soil. In summer, they may be able to escape the heat, but it is humid when there is more rain in autumn. This is the first rainy season after the war. It seems that the soldiers have not yet complained. Everyone’s face is full of relaxed and natural smiles.
Falkenhayn and Chen Tian took the lead in taking the trench. At the bottom of the trench, they didn’t walk for a few steps without bare feet and muddy water. These generals’ shiny boots became dirty. The soldiers looked at them and gave them to restraint. Some people didn’t seem to know what to pose except salute, and Chen Tian and others kept saluting.
This group of people stopped at a "hole", which is a typical "cave" on the western front. Falkenhayn hesitated not to get into this cave with less than one person. He once saw this kind of barracks in photos and shadows. He remembered that Chaplin’s barracks was flooded when it was raining heavily, and the soldiers were sleeping in a bed soaked in water. The scene was very funny, but it was very sad to savor it carefully.
Chen Tian looked in and got into it. It was dark and smelled of sweat and feet. It was not until a soldier lit a kerosene lamp that he had to see clearly the layout here. It was not even 10 square meters. Apart from a few simple beds, the soldiers carried some tools with them, such as guns, shovels, kettles and metal bowls. Although the bedding was neatly stacked, Chen Tian felt that the quilt must be wet and how many opportunities could there be for basking in the cold war?
"Will there be water in it when it rains?" Chen Tian asked the soldier with a kerosene lamp. He was obviously nervous and stammered.
"Report here … there won’t be water rising because it doesn’t seem to have rained enough since we came here!"
Chen Tian nodded. The longer the war drags on, the more bitter it is for these poor soldiers and the Chinese people to tighten their belts. If it comes to winter, the soldiers will be even more miserable.
These German soldiers are much more comfortable than the French soldiers who are far away from Plymouth Port. They can bask in the quilt or get together to play cards and chat in the sun for several weeks, and get the British mat allowance on time every month. No one cares whether they have francs or pounds. At this time, pounds are the hardest currency. At the weekend, they can go to the dock in droves to get drunk and find an English girl to refresh themselves or try their luck in the casino.
At this time, German planes took off from France before flying. There were German airships flying here from time to time to throw a few bombs, but the accuracy of that kind of high bombing was too low. Later, the British and French warships did not hide, and the German airships did not bring some more affordable things, such as food or fuel. The only thing that made these sailors angry was that the airships poured some excrement into barrels from time to time. Those strange smells were mostly scattered into a drop of water when they approached the warships, and they were directly sprinkled on the decks or bridges of the warships. It’s natural for people who spill it to be disgusting to death. People who don’t get hit by darts can’t scrub the deck hard. Now the biggest wish of these sailors is to stuff feces into the cannon and then hit Germany with one shot to greet a German airship crew who don’t know what they ate.
However, with the French government’s announcement that Germany will hold armistice negotiations, this kind of idle atmosphere disappeared almost overnight. The news that the French government will surrender has spread all over the port. Although the British have not done anything unusual for the time being, almost all the British people have changed their eyes when they look at these French sailors and French warships. The British warships have intentionally changed their berths. All the French warships are surrounded by British warships. It seems that many British torpedo boats patrol the port and even the nearby fortresses have been added. Artillery is also keeping a close eye on it. What’s even more exaggerated is that French sailors who have been on shore leave in recent days can’t get English girls themselves. It seems that British prostitutes have become out-and-out patriots
Since Lame will lead the main attack of the French fleet and be annihilated by the German fleet, the British-French joint fleet has returned to the French side. At every routine meeting, the British still don’t take the French seriously, and Major General Toum, the temporary commander of the French fleet, is also acceptable.
In the meeting room of the French battleship Langong, the captains of the remaining 7 battleships, 2 cruisers and 12 destroyers of the French fleet gathered together. The British people were very worried about the routine meeting of the French captains, but they could not do anything about these French people before the French government officially surrendered.
"As a matter of fact, we are being watched by the British now. I’m afraid that as soon as our government announces its surrender, they will rush to surrender our weapons!"
The captain of the battleship Osh was worried and said that others should also make up.
"Yes! British warships are already on alert. I think their artillery and torpedoes may shoot at us at any time. This is simply too much! "
"It’s too polite to do so in our name or as an ally! Besides, even if France really surrenders, they will detain us! "
"We can’t stay here! We should return to the French port immediately! "
Major-General Tuom listened silently to the opinions of other captains. Like most French naval officers and soldiers, he hated those Germans who fought wars, but he didn’t like them. The British wouldn’t have come together with Britain if they hadn’t responded to the threat of the German-Austrian alliance. If France had surrendered, the French navy would no longer take the British as its ally. Although they were not angry with the British, they didn’t want to be captured by the British.
The French captains finally agreed that everyone who left Plymouth port and returned to France before the French government announced its surrender turned their attention to Major General Tuom.