"Gentlemen, what shall we do now? Should the Germans accede to their demands or not? "Sidonio? President Pais asked.

"Your Excellency, this is indeed a very difficult choice. If you choose the wrong one, you're doomed for Portugal. Foreign Minister Fidel Castro said.

"How nice it would be if the Azores were not our territory!" The Minister of Finance sighed.

The other senior Portuguese government officials also shook their heads and smiled bitterly. This may be the helplessness of a small country. The geographical location of the Azores is very important, and if it is in the hands of a great power, it will be an important base. But a small country like Portugal with such an important strategic location as the Azores would not be lucky, but rather a disaster.

"Your Excellency the President, can we find a way to delay it first, and then wait for a while to see the situation." Castro suggested.

Sidonio? President Pais's eyes lit up, and this was a good idea. Of course, there is no way to do it.

"Then we will start talks with the Germans, and the price they offer is to pay us 300 million marks if we buy it. In the case of a loan, six million marks a year, for ninety-nine years. We will negotiate with the Germans on these two options, stalling for time! "Sidonio? President Pis said.

"Yes, Your Excellency." The high-ranking Portuguese officials replied. However, the sadness on everyone's faces did not dissipate. After all, even if delaying tactics and delaying time are used, it is not possible to delay indefinitely. Once the patience of the Germans was exhausted, the Germans would inevitably force the Kingdom of Portugal to make a choice. When the time comes, there will be no way for them to delay any longer.

The next day, Portuguese Foreign Minister Fidel Castro formally held talks with German Foreign Minister Washit.

"Your Excellency the Minister for Foreign Affairs, I wonder what your country is thinking about? For the sake of European security and peace, it is also very beneficial for Portugal to sell or lease the Azores to the German Empire. For the Kingdom of Portugal, 300 million marks was enough to improve the poor financial situation of the Kingdom of Portugal. Washitt said.

"Your Excellency the Foreign Secretary, three hundred million marks is indeed a lot. However, the strategic importance of the Azores is obvious. We believe that if the Azores are to be sold, 300 million marks will not be enough. Castro said.

Vahit was overjoyed, and although the Portuguese seemed to want to take advantage of the price increase, as long as they were willing to talk, it was a good thing. It is better than the Portuguese refusing to talk about it.

"Your Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs, if the price of 300 million marks is not considered appropriate by you, then the price can be increased a little more. So, what do you think of the fact that we're raising another 50 million marks? The German Empire was very sincere about this! Vahit said with a smile.

Although, the German side behaved very well, which made Castro a little unsure of how to talk about it. However, the Portuguese government's intention was not to really want to make this deal, but to use it to delay time!

The two sides are constantly haggling over the price. Eventually, Vahitt raised the price to 500 million marks. However, Castro still did not let go. This made Vahit a little dissatisfied. After all, the highest price given by the German side is 500 million marks. If you go beyond this price, the German side will not accept it.

Although, 500 million marks is nothing for Germany, which has deep pockets. But the German government did not want to be wronged and let the Portuguese slaughter it.

Castro took the opportunity to propose a simple discussion on the length of the lease and the rent of the Azores.

For several days, Washit and Castro discussed this. However, even with Vahit's repeated concessions, the Portuguese side did not agree.

Naturally, Vasit was not a fool, and he also realized that the Portuguese government was not sincere at all, and they were just stalling for time.

The German Foreign Minister's visit to Portugal was already a concern for other countries. In particular, the United States, on the other side of the ocean, is particularly concerned about this. The U.S. Embassy in Portugal, as well as the British Embassy in Portugal, sprang into action to inquire into the intentions of the Germans.

The current Portuguese government has no sense of secrecy at all, and it is like a sieve, which is easily obtained by the Americans and the British.

The United States and Great Britain were shocked to learn that Germany wanted to buy or lease the Azores from Portugal. You know, if Germany really built the Azores into a military base. Then the German Navy would have been able to have a solid bridgehead in the Atlantic. The power of the German navy could easily extend to the middle of the Atlantic. Even, if the German Navy wanted to, it could depart from the Azores at any time and reach the east coast of the United States in a matter of days. This is too much of a threat to the United States and the United Kingdom.

"Gentlemen, it is clear that the Germans have not yet given up oppressing us. They began to coerce Portugal to sell or lease the Azores to them. If we let their purpose be achieved, it will not be a good thing for us. We must find a way to prevent the Germans from taking the Azores! "Woodrow? President Wilson said.

"Your Excellency, judging by the reaction of the Portuguese government, they do not want to sell or lease the Azores to the Germans. However, in the face of strong German pressure, they may eventually have to compromise. At that time, the Germans will be able to occupy the Azores in the name of it. Secretary of State Brian said.

Woodrow? President Wilson nodded, this is indeed a very difficult issue. Portugal is just a small European country, while Germany is already the dominant power in the world. In the face of German demands, Portugal may find it difficult to say no, and dare not say no. In that case, Portugal may eventually have to compromise.

"Your Excellency the President, didn't the Germans just say to the world that they are working for peace? Therefore, on the issue of Portugal, I am afraid that they have no intention of using force. If we can give Portugal some support, maybe we can strengthen their confidence. Admiral Daniels said.

President Wilson's eyes lit up, and he immediately asked the embassy in Portugal to take immediate action to express support for the Portuguese government on behalf of the United States.