"I'm sorry, Your Excellency the Foreign Secretary. After deliberations with our Government, we have decided not to sell or lease the Azores to your country. Portugal was a neutral country in the last world war. Now the international situation is becoming more and more tense, and we do not want to get involved in the confrontation between major powers. We hope to be able to remain neutral. Portuguese Foreign Minister Fidel Castro said apologetically.

Washitt was not surprised by this, or rather, he had expected this from the moment he realized that the Portuguese were starting to stall for time. However, Washitt did not agree with the Portuguese choice. The idea that the Portuguese want to remain neutral and not get involved in the confrontation between the great powers is really stupid and naïve.

If Portugal did not have the Azores and they wanted to remain neutral, perhaps no one would pay attention to them. But to still want to remain neutral in the case of the Azores is whimsical. The strategic importance of the Azores is such that Germany or other major powers will do everything in their power to control it. Portugal's refusal of Germany's demands was in fact an enemy of Germany.

The German Navy had already decided that the Azores must be taken. Originally, they wanted to buy or lease the Azores peacefully. However, this was rejected by the Portuguese government. Then, Germany will do whatever it takes to take the Azores. This will definitely not be a good thing for Portugal.

"Your Excellency the Foreign Minister, you are rejecting the goodwill of the German Empire!" Vahit said.

"Your Excellency the Foreign Secretary, the Portuguese Republic does not mean so. We just want to be neutral. Castro said.

However, Vahit did not waste any more words. He left the Kingdom of Portugal directly and returned to Germany on a warship of the Atlantic Fleet.

"Your Excellency the President, the German Foreign Minister has left. However, it can be seen that he is very angry. I think this time we have completely offended the Germans. I'm afraid this will be a problem for us. Castro looked worried.

"Don't worry, the Germans, even if they are dissatisfied, will not use force against us. In that case, it would be a lie for them to want to maintain world peace. The whole world will blame them. "Sidonio? President Pis said.

"I hope so!" Castro said. He always thought that things would not be so simple. How could the Germans have clearly decided on the Azores this time? That would be too much out of line with the German style.

When German Foreign Minister Vahit reported to China the news of Portugal's refusal to sell or lease the Azores to Germany, Emperor Qin Tian immediately summoned the military and political ministers of the empire.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the rulers of Portugal, have finally made a stupid decision, they have rejected the demands of the Empire, ignoring the good intentions of the Empire, which is absolutely unacceptable to the Empire!" Qin Tian said.

"Your Majesty, we must seize the Azores. The reason why the Portuguese dared to refuse us must be that the Americans were backing them. This makes us have to worry about whether the Azores will fall into the hands of the Americans. If the Americans take control of the Azores, then we will be greatly threatened. "Reich Admiralty Reinhardt? Marshal Scheer said.

Qin Tian nodded, the Imperial Intelligence Agency had already reported the secret meeting of the US ambassador to Portugal with the Portuguese foreign minister. It's just that I don't know exactly what they talked about. What is certain, however, is that what they are talking about must have something to do with Germany's desire to buy or lease the Azores. Otherwise, Portugal would not have made a choice immediately after that meeting.

"Ladies and gentlemen, since the Portuguese have rejected us this time, then the canal means that our plan to obtain the Azores by peaceful means has completely failed. And for the Imperial Navy, the Azores are an indispensable and important base, and we must get our hands on it. So, what do we do next? Qin Tian asked.

In any case, in order for the German navy to have an advantage in the confrontation in the Atlantic, Germany had to hold the Azores in its hands.

"Your Majesty, we should rule out the use of force against Portugal. At the previous arms control conference, we flaunted to the whole world that we love peace and are willing to work for world peace. If Portugal were to be invaded in the blink of an eye, it would probably attract the condemnation of the whole world. The image that the empire has managed to re-establish will be devastated. Imperial Prime Minister Bilo reminded.

"That's probably why the Portuguese government has no fear." Reinhardt, Reich Admiralty? Marshal Scheer said.

"What can we do but use force?" Qin Tian asked.

"Your Majesty, apart from force, we have nothing but the overthrow of the current Portuguese government. Since, this Portuguese government, is unwilling to accept the good intentions of the empire. Then we will have to find a way to change the obedient Portuguese government. It was only a few years ago that they launched a revolution that overthrew the Portuguese crown. As a result, the political situation in Portugal has been relatively turbulent over the years. All factions are stirring up trouble and want to obtain greater benefits. If we support a faction and let them carry out a coup d'état, it is entirely possible. In this case, the new Portuguese government, supported by the Empire, will definitely sell the Azores to the Empire at a low price. Or, when supporting them, make it a condition. "Minister of the Imperial Army and Chief of the General Staff von? Marshal Falkenhein said.

Qin Tian nodded, this was undoubtedly the most suitable way now. Germany only supported a part of the Portuguese in a coup d'état, and did not send troops to invade Portugal, so other countries could not blame Germany.

"So, is there a suitable supporter?" Qin Tian asked.

"According to the information we have received, the Portuguese Minister of Army, the Chief of Staff of the Army, and a colonel named Carmona are all objects to support. They control most of Portugal's army, and we can fully support them in a military coup d'état and the establishment of a military dictatorship. "Feng? Marshal Falkenhein said.

"Then send someone to contact them!" Qin Tian said.