Chapter 931 We are willing to negotiate with Charles
Britain hesitated on this matter for several days.
Withdrawing from the colonization of Malta was no trivial matter and the Minister of Munitions could not decide on his own; it required the approval of Parliament.
This was originally a "great humiliation" for Britain. As the world's number one power, it was unlikely to pass it from the perspective of both interests and face. The Minister of Munitions did not even have the courage to bring it up in Parliament.
But the result was beyond the Minister of Munitions' expectations. Members of Parliament expressed their opinions in a depressing atmosphere:
"If it were someone else or another country, we might object. But that's the Shire, that's France. Look at the map. Once we go to war with France, they are fully capable of blocking the Strait of Gibraltar, and our fleet won't be able to reach Malta."
"Yes, that's France, and we can't deal with the Germans and France at the same time."
"Think about it. If France really ceases hostilities and makes peace with Germany, it means that the Germans can concentrate on dealing with us in the Atlantic."
…
This is to face the reality and think about the problem from the perspective of strength and status.
Britain was facing a rising France, a French army that had gained leading advantages in the sea, land and air, and a powerful army that was leading the Western Front. What reason did they have not to give in?
If you can't get it on the battlefield, don't even think about getting it at the negotiating table. British MPs who have been in politics for so long know this well.
More importantly, they need to pull France back into the arms of the Allies!
So two days later, General Winter, who was waiting in Metz, obtained authorization from the British Parliament.
…
There is not much pressure in the United States.
Wilson's first reaction when he saw the $500 million was to be shocked by the number.
"Is Charles crazy?" His laughter was full of sarcasm. "He's asking the United States to pay $500 million for a war. He must be very short of money!"
But Creel didn't laugh.
"We have no choice, Mr. President." Krill said in a serious voice: "Unless the American army can defeat the Germans, we can only accept it."
Wilson was stunned for a moment, then realized the seriousness of the problem.
The consequence of not paying the $500 million is that the U.S. military will suffer heavy casualties, consume a great deal of time and supplies, but make no progress at all. The ultimate impact is likely to be far, far greater than the $500 million.
Therefore, spending money is the simplest, most direct, and fastest way.
Wilson was somewhat frustrated. He realized that holding the lifeline of the war was the most scarce resource, which could be converted into wealth at any time, as well as the right to speak and control in politics and economy.
Krill added: "And this is no loss to us. Now we pay 500 million, and after defeating the Germans, we only need to add 500 million to the German reparations."
Wilson nodded in agreement, saying that this could be completely passed on to the Germans.
In addition, Wilson wanted to know how Charles would explain to the French people:
Charles told everyone that "a ceasefire was in the best interests of France", but now he was going to the war again and almost defeated Germany on his own.
How does he explain it to the public?
At the same time, Charles shouldn't have revealed his battle plan so early.
Wilson had a smug smile on his face. He would like to see Charles lose the battle or the French army suffer heavy casualties. It would be best if both the French and German armies were defeated.
Then Charles' image will collapse.
…
In the meeting room of Berlin's Palace of Forget-Me-Not, the fire was burning fiercely, and the huge space was as warm as spring.
Hindenburg and Wilhelm II sat on the sofa and discussed the situation calmly, which was rare.
What prompted them to stop confronting each other and hide their daggers as before was Charles' "truce" initiative.
"You know what?" William II shook the red wine in his hand and said sarcastically:
"Ciel is even more popular than me as a king, I mean in Germany."
"I went to Williamport for an inspection a few days ago, and the soldiers did not ask how to fight the next battle, but when we would negotiate with the Charles."
"I was angry about this, which is not how an imperial soldier should think, but I finally held back my anger because I thought it was not a bad thing for us."
Hindenburg nodded appreciatively:
"You are right, Your Majesty."
"It's not a bad thing, it's a good thing, a very good thing."
"Just think about it. If France withdraws from the war, only Britain, the United States, Russia, and some other insignificant small countries will remain."
William II said "hmm" and replied: "Then we have nothing to worry about!"
But he frowned again: "But I heard that Yingmei has been persuading Ciel to return to the battlefield, right?"
"Yes," Hindenburg replied, "Britain and the United States, for their own benefit, want to completely defeat Germany. Only in this way can they obtain huge reparations from us. Therefore, it is impossible for them to choose an armistice negotiation like Charles did."
"These bastards, shameful speculators." William II gritted his teeth in hatred.
If it were not for Britain and the United States, Germany's war pressure might have been resolved long ago and it would have been reconciled at the negotiating table by now.
Hindenburg stood up, picked up the bottle, and poured some wine for William II:
"German citizens know this, Your Majesty."
"I mean, Britain and America refused to stop the war for money, but that's not the case in the Shire."
"German citizens therefore admired Charles not only because he was a formidable opponent on the battlefield, but also because he was someone who truly cared about humanity and life."
Hindenburg actually didn't believe this. He knew that Charles deliberately portrayed himself and France in this image.
But that doesn't matter.
The important thing is that the Germans believed it.
This war has brought too much death, hunger and suffering to people, and Charles is the only one who can end it all and is their hope.
Even though Ciel is their enemy in principle.
Some soldiers even said: "If we want to surrender, let's surrender to the French army. We can fight for Charles and end this war with him. This is the most correct goal!"
William II hesitated for a moment and asked, "What do you think, Your Excellency the Chief of the General Staff? What do you think we should do?"
Hindenburg looked Wilhelm II in the eye:
"I think it advisable to negotiate with the Ciel, Your Majesty."
"The politicians, the army, the German citizens in general, they can accept this."
"More than just accepting it, I think if you make this decision, people will embrace it, including me and Ludendorff."
William II nodded slowly: "Yes, this is not a shameful thing, because our starting point is the same as Charles's, for world peace, to end meaningless wars, this is a decent way!"
Hindenburg reminded: "Moreover, we should convince Charles before Britain and the United States, otherwise it will be too late."
"Of course." Wilhelm II became nervous after being reminded by Hindenburg: "Tomorrow... no, I will immediately have the Berlin Daily issue an additional edition to declare to the world that we are willing to negotiate with Charles!"
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
