"The 1939 Legislative Amendment, officially adopted ... This concludes the meeting, gentlemen. "When the results came out, some people were disappointed, some people were excited.

The new neutrality law allows belligerents to trade on a cash-for-self basis, i.e., cash for cash, with the buyer providing the transport themselves.

And since Britain and France controlled the sea routes, the bill was clearly in their favor.

However, under isolationist pressure, the bill still requires that US ships be banned from entering the war zone, and US citizens continue to be prohibited from boarding ships of participating countries.

This is the result of a compromise between Congress and the president.

It wasn't ideal for Roosevelt, who had to find a way to change America's severe isolation and help Britain and France more.

At the same time, the United States will gradually expand its influence in Europe and even the world, preferably replacing the United Kingdom.

............

September 3, 1939, 5 p.m.

Five hours and 40 minutes after Britain formally declared war on Germany, France also announced that it would fully fulfill its obligations to Poland.

Subsequently, the British Dominions of Australia, New Zealand, the Commonwealth of South Africa, and Canada declared war on Germany, and World War II broke out.

At this time, one of the future triumvirate, V-hand Winston Churchill, was on a visit to France.

After the official declaration of war, Churchill held talks with Georges, commander of the French field army.

After learning of the disposition and strength of the French army, Churchill praised the French army as 'the most well-trained and mobile army in Europe.' ’

With 110 divisions, including a large number of mechanized troops, and France's performance in World War I, Churchill said firmly: "We have won." ”

Previously, the United States sent several superliners to bring back its European diaspora and rearm its own troops on its home soil.

This excited the British, as did Churchill, who, at a recent House of Commons meeting, said: "The United States is about to enter the war, and they are actively preparing for it, and when the Anglo-American-French Triple Coalition appears in front of the little man, he will be frightened to pee his pants." ”

Because of this, Britain and France, after declaring war on Germany, did not immediately enter the war, but sat back and watched Poland be divided by Germany and the Soviet Union.

In the minds of the British, they were still looking forward to the achievement of the Triple Alliance.

The conclusion of the amendment to the Neutrality Act has made the British people more urgent, and the British government can't wait to call the US government to ask about their next move.

However, the British Government did not receive a concrete reply until the ambassador to London declared that "the United States will never be involved in any form of war until the United States itself is attacked."

At this time, Britain and France were already in a difficult situation, and Poland had already existed in name only.

............

Rewind to September 3rd.

Within 2 hours of declaring its entry into the war, Britain quickly established a food ministry to take charge of the wartime food supply.

At 4 p.m., on the eve of the declaration of war in France, Jonathan's assistant had arrived in London.

"Dear Mr. Minister, Canned Merlin ham has become one of the reserve military food of the US military a few years ago,

Its taste has been well received by the soldiers, we have sufficient production capacity to ensure supply, price aspect... You know, the Marquis de Charles was a friend of my boss. ”

"Of course I know very well that the British Empire will not forget the help of the Marquis Charles and His Excellency Astor, and now you can talk about the price. ”

"40 cents, with the special relationship between Britain and the United States, I think you should be aware that this price is only 1 cent higher than the supply to the US military. ”

Although he didn't understand why the boss didn't take advantage of the fire to rob, he could only reluctantly follow the boss's order and make a low price to the British army.

"I feel your sincerity, but... I have to say, we have better options. "The new Minister of Food plays with taste.

"Before you arrived, the Chicago Homel Food Factory also wanted to get an order from the Food Department, and their canned Spam luncheon meat was only 15 cents. ”

The assistant who heard the news was not surprised, everyone knew that this was a big business.

"Mr. Minister, please wait. The assistant calmly opened the purse and took out two cans from it.

Spam and Merlin canned luncheon meat, he just carried it with him.

"Can you provide me with a knife? I want to open them and ask you to taste them for yourself. The assistant pointed to the can and smiled.

The minister asked someone to bring a knife and open two boxes of luncheon meat, and then the assistant poured the luncheon meat out of the plate on the table.

Spam's luncheon meat is all sugar-cube-shaped chunks the size of thumb caps, while Merlin is a 2-centimeter slice of meat.

The flesh of the two looks more bright red and tasty, while Merlin's is a little more pink.

"Taste it. The assistant said, pointing to the meat in front of him.

The minister and his staff officers looked at each other, then reached out and put the piece of meat in their mouths from their plates.

“... What did I eat? poisonous stinky meat?" the minister looked at the minced meat on the plate with a look of suspicion.

"Try this again. The assistant pushed the whole plate of luncheon meat forward, then raised his hand and said, "But before that, I suggest you rinse your mouth first." ”

Longer shelf life, perfect taste, fresh enough food, and a lot of investment in research and development to create the perfect ratio of ground meat.

Merlin was not surprised to get the order from the food department, but the price fell by 5 cents.

At 35 cents per can, the War Food Department assured that all purchases of canned meat would be supplied to the Merlin Food Factory.

Provided, of course, that it can meet the attrition of the British army.

To this assistant's answer was very affirmative, "We will ensure that the output of no less than 20 million cans per week will be increased, and if necessary, the output can be increased." ”

............

When the Merlin Food Factory won the order from the British Food Department, West and Li Zitao were sitting in the office of the Secretary of War of the United States.

The U.S. Department of War was established in 1789, and for a century, the role of secretary in the U.S. military's supreme governing body was held by civilians.

Although nominally the 'War Department,' the most important responsibilities of this agency are finance and procurement.

West Point is the masterpiece of the War Department, and at the same time, this department is crammed with accounting, auditing, statistics, procurement and other personnel.

It has been said that the War Department is the best place to gild, but it is also one of the most difficult for military personnel to intervene directly.

This situation has changed only to this day, when Marshall, who served as Chief of Staff of the Army, also held the post of Secretary of War.

As a staunch supporter of President Roosevelt's aid to Britain, Marshall naturally understood the importance of food.

And he was also the Minister of War, who was responsible for the finances and procurement of the army.

"Charlie, the war is about to begin, and this is an opportunity for you... I'm not referring to the money aspect, but to your awkward position, and I think you know what I mean. ”

Less than five minutes after the two sides met, Marshall bluntly pointed out his purpose, that His Excellency, a major general who had risen to a high position, had come to fight the autumn wind.