Chapter 257: Under the World
The Cadillac drove all the way into the White House.
In the back seat, Churchill sat with his eyes closed, deep in thought.
When the car slowly came to a stop, an unfamiliar yet exceptionally magnetic voice reached his ears.
"Mr. Churchill, it seems you did not rest well on the plane."
Churchill opened his eyes and looked up.
Roosevelt sat in his wheelchair, lowering his head slightly as he greeted him with a smile.
"Mr. Roosevelt."
Churchill stepped out of the car, took the cane handed over by his secretary, and shook hands with Roosevelt, who had been waiting at the door.
"This is our first meeting since I took office, is it not?"
The two exchanged greetings with practiced warmth.
They spoke about culture, food, and the weather. Although this was their first meeting since Churchill became Prime Minister, the two old foxes behaved like old friends who had not seen each other for years.
The conversation continued without pause until they sat down at the dining table.
The occasional jokes they brought up made those accompanying them laugh along.
After three rounds of drinks and five courses of food, the casual conversation gradually faded.
Glasses were refilled.
Empty plates were removed.
An attendant who had specifically studied Churchill's preferences placed a full box of cigars and a bottle of rum in front of him.
After doing all this, he closed the door, leaving the room to the ultimate decision-makers of Britain and America.
The lingering scent of meat in the reception room was slowly replaced by the smoke of lit cigars.
Savoring the delightful aroma of fine tobacco filling his mouth, Churchill did not waste time and went straight to the point.
"Mr. Roosevelt, I believe the United States should impose sufficient sanctions on Germany."
"I am not referring to insignificant measures such as stopping military supplies and ammunition. Germany does not lack those things at all."
"What must be restricted is food."
Churchill leaned forward slightly.
"As for my personal view, the United States should actively intervene in the war."
"The fate of Europe and the United States is closely linked. In a certain sense, without Europe, there is no United States."
"If Britain falls, that war maniac Jörg von Roman will greatly threaten the interests of the United States."
Roosevelt propped his head with one hand and listened to Churchill's demands.
After a moment of thought, he asked, "Mr. Churchill, more than that, I would like to discuss the relationship between Britain and Japan."
"I hear you have been quite close with the Japanese recently."
Churchill did not deny this.
The United States' attitude toward Japan was relatively hostile.
After all, the United States also possessed considerable interests in East Asia, and these interests directly conflicted with Japan's expansionist ambitions.
However, Churchill could not concern himself with so much at the moment.
Attracting enough allies was Britain's only diplomatic strategy now.
"Yes, Mr. Roosevelt."
Churchill's expression did not change.
"Please understand Britain's predicament. Britain and Europe are too close. We do not have an entire Atlantic Ocean as a buffer like the United States."
"Only enough allies can provide us with geopolitical security, especially under the current tense circumstances."
Roosevelt nodded in understanding.
He poured Churchill a glass of rum, then presented his conditions.
"I can provide aid to Britain, prohibit trade with Germany, and even, should Britain face an emergency, persuade the stubborn factions at home to shift their attention away from Mexico and actively turn the Army's focus toward Europe."
"But all of this is based on one condition."
"Japan must not further expand into Southeast Asia, especially regarding the Philippines and the East Asian colonies owned by the United States."
"As long as this point remains unchanged, our trade strategy toward Japan will also not change."
Roosevelt's conditions were very lenient.
They were even far more lenient than Churchill had expected.
Churchill seized the opportunity and simultaneously raised Japan's request.
"Mr. Roosevelt, can the United States offer Japan some degree of preferential treatment in trade?"
Roosevelt did not agree to this point.
Instead, he shifted the conversation to the stages of American aid to Britain.
"To be frank, Mr. Churchill, domestic political opinion does not support direct military intervention against Germany."
"Therefore, the first stage will only involve trade suppression against Germany."
"I hope you can understand this."
Seeing that Roosevelt had deliberately avoided the topic of Japan, Churchill was not annoyed.
After all, having secured the support of the United States, he could at least give the Japanese an explanation.
This would allow the Far East Fleet to be recalled and used to strengthen coastal defenses while controlling the Atlantic shipping lanes.
The Navy would be able to breathe a huge sigh of relief.
At the very least, they would finally have the confidence to drag out the war with Germany and the time to plan campaigns in the Middle East and North Africa, instead of being chased by the Germans and suffering defeat after defeat as they were now.
"Of course I understand, Mr. Roosevelt."
Churchill smiled.
"It has been a pleasure discussing so much with you. Like the other Roosevelt, you are an outstanding President."
"The other Mr. Roosevelt once coordinated the American government to actively send troops to Europe, curbing Germany's ambitious expansion and returning the runaway train of the world to the tracks of peace."
"I believe that under your leadership, the same situation will arrive even sooner for the United States."
After saying this, Churchill rose and took his leave.
Having received Roosevelt's promise, he immediately instructed his secretary, "Tell the Japanese that although I could not bring them oil, I brought them a promise of non-interference, as long as they do not touch American territory."
"The international community will only offer verbal condemnation."
"Order the Far East Fleet to return immediately."
Churchill's eyes were dark and cold.
"I will use the tactics of the Great War to defeat that mad dog, Jörg von Roman."
The telegram arrived in Tokyo that evening.
The special liaison officer reported the news to the Japanese Army General Staff.
A collective sigh of relief passed through the Japanese chiefs of staff upon hearing the outcome.
Army Minister Sugiyama Gen sipped his sake and said, "Gentlemen, the international situation is on our side."
"Notify the Far East. Tell Mr. Tashiro that preparations for a larger offensive plan can now begin."
He placed the cup down.
"Set the time for July."
Just as Churchill continued working tirelessly for Britain's resistance, and Japan conspired to engulf East Asia, Germany was delivering a powerful blow to the British Isles.
It declared to the world that a brand-new method of warfare had been born in Germany.
And that Germany would lead it.
Inside the V-2 rocket launch base, two soldiers looked at the conical projectile, which resembled an enormous artillery shell, tilted atop a large truck.
One of them murmured, "Can this thing really hit mainland Britain?"
"Is it real or fake? It will not fly halfway and fall into the sea, will it?"
"I think so too."
The other soldier stared at the strange weapon.
"With such a long distance, and no observer inside this giant shell, how would it know where it should land?"
As he spoke, one soldier stepped forward, wanting to touch its cold exterior.
Before he could act, a captain inspector walked over.
With just one cold glance from the captain, the soldier quickly withdrew his hand and saluted.
"Good day, Captain."
"Observers?"
The captain looked at them.
"How did you come to that conclusion? Does launching once mean we have to sacrifice one German?"
His tone was stern.
"Read more books, soldiers. This contains science."
The captain touched the casing and continued, "The scientists who can turn theory into reality are the primary driving force of war."
"They are far more important than tanks or machine guns."
"Only when you understand this will you truly have made a great contribution to Germany."
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