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Text Chapter 396 A coincidental meeting

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    ~< >-~ On the rough and turbulent waters of the Bay of Biscay, the battleship Revenge, which missed the Battle of Jutland due to sea trials, cut through the waves under the protection of four destroyers.  The sailors on the deck stared wide-eyed, their rapid-fire cannons pointed at the sea, and even the ferocious main guns had their coats ripped off.

    In the eyes of Lloyd George, the Royal Navy at this moment is like a frightened white rabbit in the Scottish Highlands. The slightest disturbance is enough to cause tension and worry.  When 5 battleships, 3 armored cruisers and 12 destroyers sank in the North Sea, which will never be warm, when the four Queen-class battleships were covered with scars and had to undergo repairs for more than half a year, when the first Revenge-class battleship was  When the sea trials were completed, the proud ocean-going fleet even had to use those pre-dreadnoughts to defend against enemies who might break out.

    Butare you too nervous?

    As soon as this thought came up, the sea breeze brought the crisp sound of leather boots hitting wooden plywood. The sound was very rhythmic, as if it was stepping on the beat of music.  Lloyd George twisted his body, with such unhurried steps that only one person could issue, a man who had decided to devote all his time to the country and served as Foreign Secretary for 11 consecutive years with strict self-discipline and harsh discipline.

    "David."

    Edward Grey, a handsome man with a small parted hair and a straight nose, is also the legendary noble knight who has been in charge of the diplomatic power of the Empire on which the sun never sets for eleven years.  Because his wife died young, he put all his dreams and sustenance in his work. His success proves that no one is born lucky, and luck only comes to those who work hard.  And he is such a person, who became famous last year for cooperating with France to sign the "Secret Treaty of London" to draw Italy into the agreement.  Of course, he has not been very happy recently, because his loyalty to Prime Minister Asquith has led to very tense relations with the House of Commons. As the Prime Minister has begun to intend to retire, whether he can continue his political career has become a hot topic.

    Not only are the two best friends, they are also members of the Liberal Party and now work in the same government.  So Gray walked to Lloyd George and saw that he had been staring at the sailor just now.  Asked: ¡°Are you worried about the weapons the Chinese need?¡±

    "No, that won't trouble England." As Minister of Munitions, Lloyd George was not worried about the little arms given to the Chinese, but worried about what would happen to the world if the Chinese were introduced to the European battlefield.  What kind of impact?  You know it is a big country with a population of 450 million!  The Far East, which has just defeated Japan and started to regain its confidence, has begun to see the resurgence of fanatical nationalism, just like Germany after the Franco-Prussian War. Will bringing them into the world family lead to the emergence of another Germany?

    He was not sure and said: "Edward. Does the Prime Minister really want the Chinese to join the war?"

    Gray was too familiar with this good friend, and admired his wisdom and vision very much. He also knew that he was a pacifist who hated war from the bottom of his heart. But now that the war had begun, it even made England unable to extricate itself. If he wanted to see the light as soon as possible,  To re-ignite Europe, we must rely on some external forces.  So he insisted on his own idea and said: "David, I know what you are worried about. In fact, I am worried too. But we have no choice. President Johnson has once again rejected our invitation. It is obvious that the issue of sending troops has not yet occurred on the other side of the Atlantic."  We agree that at this time we need more allies than enemies."

    "But have you ever thought about the impact they will have? They have too many people, resources and heritage that many countries cannot ignore. Have you ever thought about the consequences of letting them enter the free world? And our Japanese allies.  If we get too close to China, will it arouse their resentment? England is a global world power, and we need to consider the problem more comprehensively! Any subtle changes in the Far East will have a very serious impact, and England's interests will be greatly affected.  Big challenge.¡±

    "Yes, this is a difficult multiple-choice question." Gray spread his hands and looked serious like a primary school student taking an exam: "But we can't think too much. Unless this war is ended, we will lose more! Ni!  Gula can no longer hold on. The rioting and hungry soldiers will break his back. He needs very, very strong support! But our way into the north is blocked by Germany. Originally we wanted Japan. But they have clearly refused to go to Europe.  Convey army power. Now the only one that can quickly enter Russia to support the Eastern Front is China! The army starting from Coulomb can cross the Ural Mountains and appear on the Don River in just half a month! Your Excellency Viviani has sent me a telegram. The Chinese  It has been hinted that they can double the 20 divisions if necessary, but only if"

    "Do you need us to provide weapons and funds?" Lloyd George smiled bitterly and shook his head. He knew that Gray was right, and he was right as well. The only thing to blame was that this dirty damn war gave China a huge opportunity, and said: "He  He wouldn't speak so easily, otherwise he would have arrived in Bordeaux a long time ago! I'm afraid he wants more things. Obviously, the two oil exploration and mining rights are still there.Couldn't impress him.  "

    Gray's eyes were solemn, and he twisted the wrinkles on his forehead into the Chinese character "Sichuan" just like he had done every time he encountered a major event for more than ten years, but this time he did not hesitate at all, and his words were cold: "This is the purpose of my going. England will not accept blackmail."  Give up the concession like Germany and France did, and I also want to tell him to stop trying to be in the same boat! England has everything he wants, but it requires sacrifice!"

    Lloyd George nodded and turned his eyes to the distant horizon.

    Bordeaux has finally arrived. Will the supposedly very young Vice President be a qualified politician or a moody speculator?  Suddenly, he was looking forward to this meeting.

    As Lloyd George, who would become the new British Prime Minister in a few months, and Foreign Secretary Edward Gray waited for the sailors to lower the gangway.  In the Bordeaux City Hall, the temporary seat of the French government, Joffre, a tall man with a curly beard and an eccentric and arrogant personality, was furious.  Outside the window, on the Gironde Monument built to commemorate the Girondins, a war horse pulls the triumphal car of the Republic and runs wildly. Below is the famous "Freedom from the Shackles" sculpture built on two fountains.  Now Xiafei also feels that someone is going to shackle Europe!  Because these people here are actually prepared to pay a high price to invite useless Chinese to come to Europe to fight, and to return the colonies and concessions. This is simply an insult to French soldiers!

    "No, we don't need to pay such a high price at all! This is enough to arm half a million troops! The UK has passed a new conscription bill and will be able to provide more soldiers next year" in the conference room  filled with the marshal's roar.  But apart from him, even the two generals Foch and P¨¦tain, who had just returned from the Verne front, remained silent.  Compared with the arrogant Joffre, they have actually become the new leaders of the French army. Especially when the former was seriously short of troops in the early days of Verdun, he relied on two divisions to successfully block ten times the enemy's attack.  And ultimately dragged Germany unable to advance in Verne, making the German army in Compi¨¨gne a backwater.

    Prime Minister Aristide Parrian, who was enduring tremendous pressure from the war, and French President Raymond Poincar¨¦, who was listening to the report, had no good impressions of the old marshal who was making noises and almost ordered the abandonment of Paris.  That extravagant and extremely regular lifestyle is even more disgusting to everyone!  A marshal during the war should have had all the wrinkles in his clothes, unlike now, where there are no wrinkles visible on the uniform.

    "Your Excellency, President" The secretary opened the door, glanced at Xiafei, who stood in the center and repeatedly emphasized that he was not needed, and said, "He's here!"

    Xiafei suddenly closed his mouth, and Foch slowly stood up straight.  As soldiers, they actually know very well that the National Defense Forces in the Sino-Japanese War were very perfect in terms of individual soldiers and team tactics. Otherwise, how could they defeat Japan, which inherited the French army?  The fall of the Japanese army also meant the complete collapse of the tactical system that the French Army had maintained for decades!  When the German army used artillery and machine guns to ravage the soldiers over and over again, how much they officers hoped to rebuild a new army tactical system.

    And that young man is said to be a genius commander who is very, very proficient in army tactics.

    With a trace of expectation, Foch walked downstairs with everyone.  Reporters and people who had already heard about it packed the square. When the car, which was closely protected by armored vehicles, arrived at the end of the red carpet, a convoy also appeared on the other side.

    Edward Gray and Yang Qiu opened the car door almost at the same time. Neither of them expected to meet by such a coincidence. A moment later, Gu Weijun, Lloyd George, P¨¦tain and Foch appeared in the field of vision at the same time.  A French reporter happened to take this photo. It was only decades later that everyone suddenly discovered that five world figures from different eras were condensed in this photo.  The future Chinese Prime Minister, the next British Prime Minister, the French Prime Minister during World War II and the most outstanding marshal in French history, and the strongman who influenced the Far East for decades and finally ascended to the presidency.

    ¡°On behalf of France, I welcome your arrival.¡± Due to coincidence, the French president and prime minister had to go separately to welcome Yang Qiu and Edward Gray at the same time.  Fortunately, this is the battlefield, and no one cares about pomp and circumstance. Gray walked up to Yang Qiu and stretched out his hand: "Welcome to Europe."

    "I am also very honored to meet you. I hope we can have a wonderful afternoon."

    "Yes, I also believe that this is a wonderful afternoon. And // Shumilou's fastest text update < > - no ads // And I believe that any far-sighted politician should now understand that the era of swinging between left and right is over  As the name suggests, Edward Gray directly opened this world-famous meeting in the simplest way. Later, because this important meeting took place during the traditional lunch break in Europe, it was also nicknamed the "tea time".  .

    But now, Yang Qiu held Foch's hand tightly, his eyes bright and confident: "Please forgive me, General"You should not think about victory now, but should immediately formulate new army tactics for your troops!  Soldiers need someone to teach them how to live longer!  "

    ~< >-~

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