Chapter 913 Offshore Landing Platform
The Minister of Munitions seemed unwilling to face the strength and status of France. He began to talk about feelings with Charles:
"Britain has paid a lot for France, Lieutenant General. We have millions of soldiers fighting here. They have paid with their blood and lives to protect France's territory and freedom..."
Charles interrupted the Minister of Munitions and said, "Your Excellency, we don't use diplomatic jargon."
The Minister of Munitions had no choice but to shut up. Baker shook his head slightly at him, indicating that this would not be useful to Charles.
The only thing that matters between countries is interests. When someone tries to use personal feelings to influence state relations, it is a form of blackmail!
Ciel replied coldly:
"Conversely, I could also say that the war the Allies faced took place in France."
"France provided the Allies with a battlefield, and countless citizens suffered because of the war, as well as the casualties of soldiers and the destruction of the economy and industry by the enemy."
"France has paid so much for the Allies, so shouldn't it be reasonable for it to ask for more in return? And doesn't Britain, whose homeland was not affected by the war, owe France?"
Without waiting for the Minister of Munitions to respond, Charles continued:
"More important is the contribution made by France. We have defeated the Germans time and again and saved the British army from danger."
"If it weren't for the French army, the British army would have been surrounded and annihilated by the German army or driven into the sea. But your Excellency still thinks that Britain has paid more than France?"
"Yes, perhaps the British suffered heavy casualties, but what did your casualties achieve?"
"Tell me, what have you given France except a pile of dead bodies to bury and a large number of wounded to treat?"
Charles's thinking was clear: Britain's sacrifice was meaningless to France, the British army had always been a drag, and you even took this opportunity to create divisions in France and tried to use materials to control the French regime. Don't talk about "sacrifice" anymore.
The Minister of Munitions had nothing to say. The poor performance of the British Army was there for all to see.
It seems more like they are unwilling to see the rapid rise of Charles and are competing for the fruits of victory, rather than helping.
However, the Minister of Munitions' mentality was not affected at all. He smoothly changed the subject: "The key point is what you need, Lieutenant General? That is what you call 'interests'. What do you want in exchange for your willingness to continue fighting?"
Charles spread his hands:
"That's not something I need to consider, Your Excellency."
"At least for now, the French Parliament does not see any benefit in continuing the war."
"I am helpless too. You don't have to convince me, but the parliament and Clemenceau."
Charles kicked the ball to Ying and Mei's feet.
If you want to persuade me to join the war, if you want French soldiers to sacrifice their lives, then you have to offer a big enough temptation.
As for how big “big enough” is, that depends on your sincerity.
The Minister of Munitions and the Minister of War looked at each other. They realized that Charles was not an easy guy to deal with, both politically and diplomatically.
After thinking for a while, Baker said hesitantly: "We can reduce the loan of Bernard Group. The specific amount needs to be determined after research."
Charles pointed his finger at Baker in the air and said, "It's a good idea. I'm a little tempted."
The United States provided the Bernard Group with a low-interest loan of $2 billion, which was the funds for Shire to acquire assets and develop the "Super Line of Defense".
If it could save a few hundred million dollars, it wouldn't be a bad idea to fight a war.
Then Charles turned his attention to the Minister of Munitions and asked, "What does Britain think?"
The Quartermaster General frowned in thought.
It's not that he doesn't want to give it. If using a sum of money can allow Charles to rejoin the war, it would obviously be a good deal.
Britain is now caught in a vicious cycle:
There would be no war reparations if the Germans were not defeated.
If Britain fails to receive war reparations, it will face a debt crisis.
In the days that followed, it would be difficult for Britain to pay off the interest on the loan, and its regime might very well collapse as a result.
It will be even more impossible to defeat Germany by then!
Only Ciel can break this cycle and pull them out of this quagmire.
Damn Charles, why did he choose to cease fire at this time? The Germans can't hold on for much longer!
The Quartermaster General's problem was that he couldn't give Charles what he wanted.
Funding, Britain itself is in debt, and the Shire is likely to be richer than Britain.
Charles, who had made a fortune from military industry, didn't need supplies. He could import them directly from the United States.
Equipment, what Charles developed was sold all over the world...
At this time, the Quartermaster General seemed to have thought of something. He raised his eyebrows and said hesitantly, "There is something that the Lieutenant General might be interested in."
Ciel said "hmm", pretending to be listening attentively.
The Minister of Munitions glanced at the Minister of War and said mysteriously:
"We have been developing a new equipment recently, Lieutenant General."
"It's a kind of platform for aircraft to take off and land, but it's offshore."
"I mean, it's a ship."
Charles opened his mouth halfway. Is this guy going to share the aircraft carrier?
But it doesn't seem strange.
During this period, Britain and the United States were only verifying and exploring the feasibility of aircraft carriers. They did not know how important this thing was, nor did they know how much role it would play on the battlefield in the future.
So, in desperation, I offered this immature thing as an exchange.
But of course, Ciel couldn't show that he wanted it very much.
Instead, he gave a disdainful laugh:
"A ship? As a platform for aircraft to take off and land?"
"I don't think it's worth much, Your Excellency, if our bombers can be converted into seaplanes."
"It can take off and land on the sea, just like the Germans did."
This is very confusing. Even during World War II, Japan had not yet distinguished the difference between seaplanes and aircraft carriers, so it developed seaplane fighters.
(Note: During World War II, Japan used the "Type 2 Sea Fighter" on a large scale, producing a total of 327 aircraft. This was an attempt to use seaplanes to replace aircraft carriers.)
The Minister of Munitions was instantly confused, because what Charles said was indeed possible, and the British Royal Navy was also debating this:
"Why don't we just strengthen the combat capability of seaplanes instead of spending huge amounts of money to produce such a clumsy take-off and landing platform?"
"The platform itself is a target and it will become a target for enemy attack."
"Seaplanes are much more flexible and cheaper, so this is simply not an option."
The Minister of Munitions hurriedly explained: "No, no, this is a very valuable direction. It may rewrite future air combat. We are willing to provide its data to cooperate with France."
Charles was secretly proud of himself, thinking that the Minister of Munitions must not know how much of a threat this thing would pose to the British Royal Navy in the future.
(End of this chapter)
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