It has been two and a half years since the world war went on now. Britain had been exhausted by the war. This is also the reason why Britain was isolated overseas, sending only a few hundred thousand expeditionary troops to the war. Otherwise, Britain will have to pay even more losses.

As for France, Russia, Germany, and Austria-Hungary, the losses paid were much heavier than those of Britain. Their army casualties were all calculated in millions. Civilian casualties are innumerable.

The scale of the war and the losses caused have far exceeded the original estimates. At the beginning of the war, it was generally believed that the war would last for a few months or more than half a year. You know, wars before this often ended in a few months. However, the war has been going on for two and a half years, and there is still no end in sight. It is not yet known how long it will take to take place. Even if Britain has a deep heritage, it is now a little unsupportable.

If other countries could join the war, especially their own camp, it would undoubtedly be something that Britain could not want. All over the world, the only countries that can play a decisive role in the war are China and the United States. Both countries took advantage of this war to make a big war windfall. Germany's announcement of unrestricted submarine warfare has undoubtedly greatly harmed the interests of China and the United States. These two countries may really give up their original neutrality and join the war.

Sir Edward Grey's words made the British cabinet ministers shine. As Sir Edward Grey put it, Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare had indeed cornered Britain. But again, it's their chance. If China and the United States are willing to join the war, they will win.

"That's right, it's an opportunity. It was the British Empire's chance to win the war. Sir Grey, get into action at once. We need to draw China and the United States into our camp. In that case, we may be able to end the war this year. Prime Minister Asquith said excitedly.

The other ministers were also smiling. After all, every day this damned war lasts costs Britain huge losses. An earlier truce could save an unknown number of lives.

"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, although China and the United States are now in the possibility of entering the war again. However, if we don't pay some price, I'm afraid they won't join the war easily. "Sir Edward Grey had to pour cold water on everyone.

Prime Minister Asquith hesitated for a moment, then said, "As long as they can join our camp to fight, even if it costs something, it is acceptable." This war must end as soon as possible. ”

There are two choices: to pay some losses and to accept the war as soon as possible. Prime Minister Asquith clearly chose the latter.

"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, I immediately instruct the Minister in China and the Ambassador to the United States to contact them." Sir Edward Grey nodded.

On the whole, Prime Minister Asquith was very satisfied with the cabinet meeting. At the meeting, not only preliminary measures for dealing with German submarines were presented, but at the same time there was hope for an end to the war.

Immediately after the meeting, Sir Edward Grey sent a telegram to the Minister to China and the Ambassador to the United States, ordering them to make contact with the Chinese Government and the United States Government as soon as possible, to test their bottom line, and to draw them into the camp of the Entente as soon as possible.

The Yellow Emperor era 4615 (17) on the morning of February 6. The British Minister to China, Sir Jurdian, went to the Imperial Foreign Office. Ask to see the Imperial Foreign Minister Tang Shaoyi. After receiving the order from home, Sir Jurdian immediately realized that this was a very difficult task. However, in order to end the war as soon as possible, for the sake of Britain's interests, he had to bite the bullet.

"Your Excellency the Foreign Secretary. Good morning. Sir Jurdian smiled.

"Hello, Sir, please be seated." Tang Shaoyi said with a smile. At the same time, he was secretly speculating about Sir Jurdian's intentions.

"Your Excellency the Foreign Secretary, the Germans start this month. Unrestricted submarine warfare has been officially implemented. No matter which country's merchant ships approached the British coast, they were sunk by them. In the past few days, many Chinese merchant ships have also been sunk, right? Sir Jurdian asked.

Although China did not lose as many merchant ships as the British, several merchant ships were sunk, which made the relationship between China and Germany very problematic, and it was almost on the verge of breaking.

Tang Shaoyi's face couldn't help but become a little ugly.

"Your Excellency, we will communicate with the German side about this matter." Tang Shaoyi said coldly.

"Your Excellency Foreign Secretary, this madness of the Germans is a challenge to the whole world. The whole world should unite and defeat the Germans and make them stop this behavior. As one of the world's most important powers, the Chinese Empire should shoulder such a responsibility. Sir Jurdian said in a convincing manner.

Tang Shaoyi was stunned for a moment, and then immediately understood Sir Zhu Erdian's intention. It turned out that the British wanted to draw China into the camp of the Entente to fight. However, China has confirmed that it will participate in the war. However, whether to join the war now, it still needs the nod of Emperor Wu Haoxuan.

"Your Excellency, if the Chinese Empire is willing to join the Entente to fight, we will not only recognize China's legitimate possession of Germany's colonies in the Pacific, but also receive corresponding war reparations after defeating the German-led Central Powers. In addition, China can also have a corresponding voice in the post-war world. Sir Jurden continued.

Tang Shaoyi was silent, the conditions offered by the British were indeed not good.

"Your Excellency, I need to report to His Majesty the Emperor." Tang Shaoyi said.

"Yes, Your Excellency the Foreign Secretary. I believe that His Majesty the Emperor, who is well aware of righteousness, will definitely make a righteous choice. Sir Jurden said.

Although Tang Shaoyi did not explicitly agree, at least his attitude has softened significantly compared with the last time. That's good progress. Sir Jurdian believed that perhaps this time it would really succeed and draw China into the camp of the Entente.

After sending Sir Zhu Erdian away, Tang Shaoyi entered the palace to meet Emperor Wu Haoxuan, and reported the meeting between him and Zhu Erdian to Wu Haoxuan.

"Your Majesty, the British have once again persuaded us to join the Entente to fight. They agreed, however, only to recognize our lawful possession of the German colonies in the Pacific, and promised to give us a portion of future war reparations. In addition, they also promised that we will have a certain say in the future international system. Tang Shaoyi said.

"Humph! The British seemed to be unable to hold on. The unrestricted submarine warfare of the Germans overwhelmed the British. However, they are also a little too stingy. Do you want us to accept these conditions? It's just a big hair called Hanako. Wu Haoxuan pursed his lips disdainfully.

"Your Majesty, the British are indeed a little too stingy. This has reached the point of life and death, but they are still clinging to those interests. However, the Germans also deceived people too much. They dare to sink the merchant ships of the Empire, which is simply a provocation to the Empire. Tang Shaoyi said.

"The Germans were also forced to have no choice, and the battle was now at this point, and the probability of their victory was getting lower and lower. For this, they had to do everything they could. If they lose the war, the consequences will be difficult for them to bear. Therefore, they can only hope for unrestricted submarine warfare, hoping to collapse Britain and win the war. Wu Haoxuan said.

"Your Majesty, are we going to be miserable?" Tang Shaoyi asked.

"Of course, it's time to tear off the pretense of neutrality and go to war. Otherwise, when the benefits are distributed after the war, we will have nothing to do. Wu Haoxuan said with a smile. Both the Entente and the Central Powers were exhausted, and if they joined the war, they could get the maximum benefit at the minimum cost.

Tang Shaoyi nodded, he also knew that it was impossible to remain neutral for the sake of the interests of the empire. Only by participating in the war can the benefits be distributed after the war. Otherwise, they will be isolated.

"So, what conditions do we need to put forward to the British?" Tang Shaoyi asked.

"First, the British must return the river to us. After being forcibly occupied by them for so long, it's time to return it to us. Second, the British had to transfer the Kuwaiti colony on the coast of the Persian Gulf to us. As for the reason, let's just say that we need a foothold in the Indian Ocean. Third, in the future distribution of post-war benefits, the interests of the empire must be fully considered. Fourth, Germany's colonies in the Pacific were already the inherent territory of the Reich, and other countries were no longer allowed to talk about these colonies. Fifth, the Allies had to take care of the troops, logistical supplies, and equipment sent to the battlefield by the Empire. In addition, allowances and pensions were also to be paid by the Entente countries. Wu Haoxuan said.

"Your Majesty, I can understand all these conditions, except for the second one. Why do we have to colonize Kuwait? Tang Shaoyi asked. In his impression, there was yellow sand everywhere, and there was no benefit at all.

"It's true that it's superficially barren. However, it is actually one of the richest places in the world. Beneath the desert there, there is a lot of oil buried, enough for the empire to last for a hundred years. Wu Haoxuan looked very longing. (To be continued.) )

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