Prime Minister Asquith convened key members of his cabinet to discuss the current situation. Obviously, the initial stage of the war was very unfavorable to Britain and even to the entire Entente.

"Gentlemen, we have resisted the German attack at the Battle of the Marne, kept Paris, and avoided the rout of France. But, unfortunately, we suffered heavy losses in the war, and there was simply no strength left to launch a counterattack against the Germans. Prime Minister Asquith said.

If Paris fell and France withdrew from the war, it would undoubtedly be a disaster for the entire Entente. Fortunately, despite the huge cost, they finally crushed the German ambition to capture Paris.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, the current situation is indeed very unfavorable for us. Since the beginning of the war, we have been losing on both the Western and Eastern Fronts. We have already sent hundreds of thousands of expeditionary forces to France. However, this is simply not enough, and we need to send more expeditionary forces. The conundrum before us now is that young people are actively enlisting in the army. However, we do not have spare weapons to equip them. You can't let them go to the battlefield with their bare hands, right? In addition, our French and Russian allies face the same dilemma. Secretary of War Richard Haldane complained.

The war broke out so suddenly that countries such as Britain and France were not ready for war at all. In addition, the attack power of the German Army was too amazing, completely beyond their expectations. At the very beginning of the war, the Entente paid a heavy price and were beaten in a hurry. Under such circumstances, it would be impossible to stabilize the situation, let alone defeat the German-led Allies.

"Our industry is moving into a wartime system. Merely. It takes time. Prime Minister Asquith said. Although the industrial output value of Britain has been surpassed by the United States and Germany, it has been surpassed. However, the old foundation is still there. As long as we switch to a wartime system, we will be able to explode with huge war potential. It's just that there's going to be a process. In the UK, what is most lacking right now is time.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, we have already contacted the US side. Hopefully they will be able to provide us with weapons. It's just that, alas, the Americans were equally caught off guard. The size of the U.S. Army is not large. This also makes their military industry underdeveloped. Therefore, they simply cannot provide us with those weapons and equipment that are urgently needed in a short time. Sir Edward Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, said.

Suddenly, Prime Minister Asquith's face was a little ugly. Without the inability to provide more troops to the front, the Entente could not reverse the situation. In the event of another rout, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"Your Excellency the Prime Minister. Perhaps we can think of other ways to import weapons and equipment from other countries. Sir Edward Grey said.

"Oh? Your Excellency, is there any other country that can meet our weapons needs on such a large scale? Prime Minister Asquith asked. You must know that the current weapons gap in Britain, France and Russia is very huge, and millions of rifles alone are needed, as well as a large number of cannons and other war materials. This is not something that ordinary countries can satisfy, and it takes an industrial power to do it.

"Your Excellency the Prime Minister, except for the United States. China in the Far East is also a powerful industrial country. In recent years, their industry has developed very rapidly. Industrialization has now been preliminarily completed. In addition, the strength of the Chinese army is already very strong. The army also has a large reserve of weapons. If we can buy weapons from China, we will be able to meet our needs, if not completely, at least partially. Sir Edward Grey continued.

"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, this is a very good idea. The weapons and equipment of the Chinese Army are also first-class in the world. Otherwise, they would not have been able to defeat Japan and Russia in succession. War Secretary Richard Haldane nodded repeatedly.

Prime Minister Asquith couldn't help but frown. The Chinese Empire was one of Britain's potential enemies, and it would be fanciful to buy weapons from China. Britain had just supported Japan's provocation against China. It's just that the Japanese were too indifferent to fight, and they were actually defeated again. Other than that. China and Germany had close relations, and now that the Allies had the upper hand, how could China support the Entente?

"Will the Chinese sell us weapons? That's unlikely. Prime Minister Asquith said.

"Your Excellency, the relationship between us and the Chinese Empire is not harmonious. However, the face has not been torn yet. We buy arms from the Chinese Empire, and this is nothing more than a normal trade practice. There is no reason for the Chinese Empire to refuse us. What's more, although China has developed very well in recent years, they are still a backward and poor country on the whole. There's no reason why they shouldn't make money. Sir Edward Grey said.

"The Chinese have always had great ambitions for our Straits colonization and even for the Indian colonies and the Australian colonies. If we place a large number of orders with the Chinese now, they will achieve rapid development. What should we do if they are ready to make a move on our colonies? Colonial Lewis Vernonsha said with some concern.

The Straits Settlements, the Indian Settlements, and the Australian Settlements were all important British colonies. However, these colonies are on the lips of China. If China wanted to do anything about these colonies, Britain would not be able to stop it.

"At least for now, the Chinese have no intention of attacking these colonies. Perhaps, they are waiting for their time. Wait until we are defeated by the Allies. If this is the case, then the Chinese will certainly join the Allies without hesitation and declare war on us. In this case, our colonies will not be saved. Sir Edward Grey said.

"Yes, the most important task before us now is the defeat of the Central Powers, led by Germany. Only by defeating them will the British Empire be able to maintain its supremacy in the world. Chancellor of the Exchequer, David Lloyd George, nodded in agreement.

Judging from the present situation, the defeat of the Central Powers is indeed the first and most urgent task for Britain. Only by defeating the Allies could British interests be assured. Moreover, external crises will be solved.

"Well, then contact the Chinese. We need their weapons and equipment, as well as other war materials. Prime Minister Asquith said.

"Yes, Your Excellency Prime Minister. It would be better for us to act together with the French and the Russians. The Entente as a whole needed a lot of weapons and war materials. In addition, we may have to be prepared to be blackmailed by the Chinese. The Chinese have always been greedy, and we now take the initiative to send them to the door. The Chinese will certainly not let go of this opportunity. Sir Edward Grey reminded.

"There's no way around it, who made our situation so critical?" The Chancellor of the Exchequer sighed. Fortunately, Britain has deep pockets. Even if the Chinese Empire raises the asking price, this is nothing to the British.

"It doesn't matter if you let the Chinese take advantage of it a little now. After we defeat the Allies, we can completely go to the trouble of the Chinese again and let them spit out all these profits. Lord Chancellor John Fisher said.

The British Empire is the hegemon of the world, and the British Empire's advantage is not so easy to take advantage of.

"Yes, that's right. The British Empire is not so easy to blackmail. If the Chinese know each other, it would be better to sell us those weapons and war materials at a fair price. Otherwise, once the war is over, they will have to pay us back tenfold or even a hundredfold. War Secretary Richard Haldane said.

The other ministers also nodded their heads one after another. The British Empire has been the world hegemon for hundreds of years, and no one has ever been able to bully them. Even if the British Empire wants to ask for it, it will put its posture very high.

"Sir Fisher, when will the Royal Navy of the British Empire complete the defeat of the German Navy's High Seas Fleet? Only after the high seas fleet is solved can we completely blockade Germany and trap Germany to death! Prime Minister Asquith said.

Although, now the Entente is at a disadvantage. However, they did not think that they would lose the war in the end. Germany's disadvantage was its lack of resources at home, while the Allies were able to receive blood transfusions from their overseas colonies. If this continues for a long time, Germany will be slowly dragged to death.

"Your Excellency, the Royal Navy is ready. However, the Germans were huddled in the military harbor and were unwilling to go out to fight. So, we don't have a chance. Sir John Fisher said.

The strength of the British Navy was far greater than that of the German Navy. In the event of a large-scale naval decisive battle between the two sides, the winner would surely be the British Navy. However, the German Navy was in a military port and was protected by a large number of shore defense guns and mines, and the British Navy had no way to deal with the German Navy.

"If you want to find a way to force the German Navy to fight, you must solve the German Navy." Prime Minister Asquith said.

"Yes, Your Excellency Prime Minister." Sir John Fisher nodded.

Soon, Britain got in touch with France and Russia, and proposed that the three countries unite to buy weapons and equipment from the Chinese Empire. France and Russia, of course, will not have any objection to this. They were beaten by the Germans and were desperately mobilizing. However, the lack of weapons and equipment has become a reason to limit the improvement of their military strength. As long as this problem can be solved, it doesn't matter which country you buy from, what does it matter? (To be continued.) )

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