"General Betty, I trust your professional judgment as a vice admiral. I am afraid that the Germans will really become the greatest enemy of the British Empire for hundreds www.biquge.info of years. However, even so, the Royal Navy had to do everything in its power to defeat them. The sea power of the British Empire could never be lost. Otherwise, you must be very aware of what this means for the Empire. Therefore, we cannot afford to lose this battle, and we cannot afford to lose! Churchill said solemnly.

"Yes, Your Excellency!" John? Admiral Jericho and David? Lieutenant General Betty nodded repeatedly.

Of course, they know the importance of sea power to the British Empire, and it can be said that the reason why the British Empire has been able to become the world hegemon for hundreds of years is entirely because of the control of sea power. Otherwise, it would be impossible for Britain to dominate the world with just a few hundred thousand square kilometers of territory and tens of millions of people.

"Your Excellency, given that the German navy is stronger than we expected. So I suggested that you have to be well prepared before you fight the Germans. Our 'Queen Elizabeth class' battleship, not yet finished. Although the shipyard has accelerated, it is estimated that it will not be able to fully enter service until the end of the year or even the beginning of next year. As for the 'revenge-class' battleships, according to the scheduled construction period, I am afraid that it will have to wait until the end of next year. Therefore, I hope that the Cabinet will make additional investments to speed up the construction of the 'Revengeance-class' battleships so that they can be commissioned by the beginning of next year." In this case, we have ten battleships armed with 381 mm guns. In the face of the German Navy, it will also have a better chance of winning. "John? Admiral Jericho suggested.

Churchill nodded, in the case of the German navy is very strong, it is undoubtedly the best way to further enhance its own strength.

"I will make this clear to the Prime Minister, and I should be able to win the support of the Cabinet. In any case, the British Empire must be fully prepared to face such a formidable enemy this time. Churchill said.

At this time, the secretary knocked on the door and came in and said, "Your Excellency, Your Excellency the Prime Minister has asked you to come over immediately." ”

"It should have been the sinking of the battlecruiser 'Lion'. I will explain this to His Excellency the Prime Minister. Hurry back to Scarpa Bay early tomorrow morning. However, I hope that you will soon come up with a way to deal with the German broken fleet. The sea lines of the British Empire could never be cut off. Otherwise, the consequences will be very serious. Churchill said with a serious face.

Britain is already extremely dependent on sea transportation, and once the sea transportation lines are cut off, large quantities of industrial raw materials cannot reach the UK, and even grain cannot be transported. In that case, not only would Britain's war potential be seriously weakened, but it would even cause national turmoil. At that time, Britain will not be able to defeat Germany, and even if it wants to carry on the war, it will be very difficult. Once the support and help of Britain were lost, it was impossible to defeat the ferocious Germans by relying only on the French and Russians, who knew on their toes.

John? Admiral Jericho and David? Immediately after Vice Admiral Betty left, Churchill drove to the Prime Minister's House in Downing Street to explain to Prime Minister Asquith the sinking of the battlecruiser Lion.

When Churchill arrived, he found that the conference room was already full of money. The important ministers of the Cabinet have already gathered here. Obviously, everyone is very concerned about the loss of the Navy this afternoon.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, Ministers, good evening!" Churchill took the initiative to say hello before going to sit down at his place.

Prime Minister Asquith nodded: "Winston, has the navy's encirclement and suppression of the German broken fleet failed?" ”

"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, to be exact, a temporary failure." Churchill did not deny this.

"How's that going to work? If the safety of our sea lines is not guaranteed, large quantities of goods cannot be brought back to the UK. When the time comes, something will go wrong. Home Secretary McKenna said dissatisfied.

"Yes, Winston. Maritime transport lines must not be cut off. Our domestic food reserves can last for up to three months. After three months, the population will be hungry. At that time, there will be social turmoil. We're all going to have to be ousted by the angry populace. "Chancellor of the Exchequer Lloyd's? George also said.

"Gentlemen, I do not deny that the present situation has indeed become very unfavourable for us. However, this is only temporary. The Royal Navy was trying to find a way to meet the challenge of the Germans. Please believe in the Royal Navy, and soon we will be able to crush the German fleet and secure the sea transport lines. Churchill assured.

"Winston, did the Navy lose a battlecruiser this afternoon? What's going on here? Prime Minister Asquith didn't go around in circles anymore and asked directly.

"Yes, Your Excellency Prime Minister. In this afternoon's battle, the battlecruiser 'Lion' unfortunately sank. This is indeed a matter of sorrow. To be honest, the Royal Navy did not expect that our most powerful battlecruiser would be sunk by the Germans so easily. And the Germans sank our battle cruisers almost on the same tonnage and combat power as us. Moreover, this was in the case of two to one, and the battlecruiser "Lion" was sunk. In order to avoid even greater losses, the 'Royal Princess' was evacuated directly. Churchill recounted with a sad face.

"What? How could it be? ”

"Oh God! How could the battleships of the Germans be so powerful. In the case of two to one, wouldn't our ships of the same class be completely no match for the Germans? ”

"This battle seems to be very unfavorable to us! Was the Royal Navy really able to defeat the Germans? ”

The leaders of the cabinet exclaimed one after another. Although they learned the news of the sinking of the battlecruiser 'Lion', they did not know the specific process. Hearing Churchill say this now, I suddenly have a feeling of extreme malaise.

"Winston, can't the Royal Navy deal with the Germans either?" Prime Minister Asquith's brows furrowed tightly. This is undoubtedly a great blow to him.

"Your Excellency, the Royal Navy is trying to figure it out. We need more support, though. The Royal Navy hopes that both the 'Queen Elizabeth-class' and 'Revenge-class' battleships will be able to enter service early next year. In this way, we will have a better chance of winning. The Germans won't give us too much time. Churchill said.

In the face of a strong enemy, the British cabinet did not have any doubts about the requirements of the navy and directly passed it. A large increase in the budget was made so that the two powerful battleships could be put into service as soon as possible.