Chapter 245: Buying Pawns
"Prime Minister, the diplomatic telegram from the United States states that President Roosevelt has agreed to our diplomatic meeting in January 1937. He also reaffirmed the consistently favorable diplomatic relations between Britain and the United States."
Upon hearing this, Churchill's joy was obvious.
The wave of the economic crisis was gradually receding with the arrival of war, and the United States remained, without doubt, the most powerful industrial nation in the world.
If he could draw the United States into European affairs, then Britain might yet escape the predicament of being blockaded.
"Tell Mr. Roosevelt that I eagerly look forward to our meeting."
Seeing that his secretary still had not left, Churchill realized there was more to report.
"What else is there?"
"Mr. Churchill, a message from the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that Germany reaffirms that it is not prepared for war with Britain. They claim they can tolerate our irrational conduct in international relations and are very willing to give us another chance."
The secretary paused briefly before continuing.
"As long as Britain abandons its war plans, Germany can release all British military prisoners captured in France and recognize Britain's independent status."
Churchill was no fool.
He did not believe Germany could be so kind.
This was absolutely another one of Jörg von Roman's little tricks, an attempt to seize the moral high ground in public opinion through this matter.
If he refused, the anti-war sentiment at home would intensify even further.
If he accepted, he would be digging his own political grave.
Betraying his own political stance was no different from suicide.
Jörg was a master of cunning deception, but Churchill had to admit that he was extremely skilled at manipulating hearts. Taking the initiative to propose easing the situation at this time was undoubtedly more beneficial to Germany.
"Have these reports been released?"
Churchill asked quickly.
"They have already been released. More than a dozen media outlets somehow received the news."
Hearing this, Churchill cursed angrily.
"What is MI6 doing?"
His voice grew harsher.
"Can they not even control information and public opinion? They could explain the bombing of the penicillin research base, which killed several scientists, as a sudden German attack."
"But now? They cannot even handle this small matter. They should all be dismissed."
Churchill suppressed the rage in his chest with a mouthful of tea, then instructed, "Since Germany likes throwing bombs on the battlefield of public opinion so much, then we shall throw one as well."
"Instruct MI6 to prepare and plan a false report about Germany carrying out a large-scale massacre of prisoners of war."
"If the enemy has no blemishes, then we will create them."
Seeing that the Prime Minister's emotions had calmed somewhat, the secretary then asked, "Sir, does that mean we are not accepting Germany's proposal?"
"Of course not."
Churchill's answer was firm.
"There is no reason to sheath a sword that has already been drawn."
He glanced at his wristwatch and asked, "Has De Gaulle arrived? And what is the attitude of the French colonies?"
"We have not yet received replies from the French colonies, but support troops from Australia and India are already on their way."
Churchill nodded slightly.
If Britain possessed any advantage, it was that she still had many high-quality colonies.
These colonies were sometimes a considerable burden.
But at other times, they could become fuel that strengthened the British war machine.
"By the way, what did Japan say?"
Churchill asked.
"Has their Emperor agreed to join our alliance?"
Winning over Japan was also part of Churchill's policy.
Japan controlled many high-quality resource areas in East Asia, and both the quantity and quality of its Army were very high. If Japan could be drawn into the anti-German front, it would undoubtedly tilt the scales of victory in Britain's favor.
"Prime Minister, their answer was ambiguous. But overall, they expressed an intention to participate in the war and also put forward several conditions."
The secretary answered respectfully.
"What conditions?"
"They demand a sufficient supply of oil."
Meanwhile, in Berlin.
Jörg, who had returned from Paris, inevitably became busy again.
The French problem had been solved, but the Italian problem still needed to be dealt with.
However, with the conquest of France, good diplomatic news arrived one after another.
With Belgium's endorsement, Denmark voluntarily returned the Schleswig region and formed a pseudo-neutral bloc with Norway.
This bloc allowed Germany to borrow military transit rights, isolating Britain diplomatically and militarily without directly providing military assistance.
In the Balkans, Slovenia was incorporated into Austria and became a German province.
Yugoslavia officially disintegrated, while Croatia and Serbia plunged into civil war, a mess Jörg did not wish to deal with for the time being.
Hungary announced that it would return to monarchy and simultaneously declared war on Italy.
It could be said that Germany now possessed unparalleled influence in Europe.
The League of Nations was no longer important.
It was time to establish a European organization led by Germany.
While his thoughts wandered, Air Force Marshal Kesselring walked in to report on the operational plan against Britain.
"Commander in Chief, all airfields in France will be fully repaired within two weeks. At that time, we will be ready to organize the Battle of Britain and seize air superiority over the British mainland."
Jörg nodded and asked, "I understand. How are the pilot academies progressing?"
"They are gradually being established. We expect to gain two hundred and sixty new pilot recruits per month by mid-1937. By the end of 1937, this number will rise to three hundred and fifty."
Kesselring reported with precision.
"Very good."
Jörg's finger lightly tapped the desk.
"Strengthen the air policy against Britain, especially regarding fleet movements."
Then he asked, "Have you discovered anything regarding the air policy against Soviet Russia?"
"Yes, Commander in Chief. We have discovered that Soviet Russia has begun deploying troops to the border areas on a large scale."
Upon hearing this news, Jörg fell into deep thought.
Combined with diplomatic intelligence from Finland, Jörg could roughly guess that the giant bear of Soviet Russia, having watched war burn across the border, was also beginning to lose patience with its own desire for territorial expansion and influence.
Seeing Jörg lost in thought, Kesselring discreetly left the office.
At the same time, another person, dressed in a suit that looked somewhat out of place inside the Wehrmacht headquarters, pushed open the door and entered.
Seeing the newcomer, Jörg's eyes lit up.
"Please sit, Dr. Braun."
His tone carried rare enthusiasm.
"How is my rocket project progressing?"
Accepting the black tea personally offered by the President, Braun appeared flattered and quickly replied, "It has been initially completed, Mr. President."
"Currently, both the L-1 and L-2 rocket bases can continuously launch V-2 missiles and directly strike the British mainland."
"As for the Air Force, we have overcome the challenge of airborne rocket bombs. Rocket bombs will begin synchronized mass production with V-2 rockets."
He hesitated for a moment before continuing.
"But… we are facing some manpower shortages."
Jörg was clearly satisfied with this answer.
"Excellent."
His eyes carried approval.
"Dr. Braun, your weapons will save the lives of tens of millions of German soldiers. Germany will not forget your contributions."
"As for manpower, I will call Cardolan."
"He will do his utmost to solve your problems."
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